What are the realities of young people with disabilities in the EU?

Dernière modification le Mercredi, 22/10/2025

The European Union defines the term disability as ‘those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others’. This definition is based on that of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The European Union's current approach to persons with disabilities is laid out in its Strategy for Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. This Strategy aims for good conditions, independent living, equal opportunities, and full participation for persons with disabilities. This strategy, in theory, sounds straightforward enough, but the reality for young people is far more complicated.

Firstly, how many young people in the EU have disabilities? According to Eurostat in 2024, 8% of young people aged 16-29 years old reported a disability (long-standing limitations in usual activities). That’s 5.7 million young people across 27 European countries.

To put this into perspective, around 101 million people in the EU have some form of disability, meaning they face challenges that discourage or even make it harder to move freely across the EU. Young people represent a portion of this population, yet their specific needs often get lost in broader disability discussions.

Before young people with disabilities would not even consider mobility opportunities, as a lot of them struggle with basic independence.

A recent study conducted in 2024 called the ‘Independent Living Survey’, which reveals firsthand from disabled individuals across Europe their barriers when it comes to housing, personal assistance, healthcare, employment and much more.

Furthermore, the Eurofound report titled ‘Paths towards Independent Living and Social Inclusion in Europe’ is showing how institutions continue to isolate and depersonalise individuals, while rigid processes hinder the daily lives of persons with disabilities.

The transition from education to employment is still a challenge for young people with disabilities across the EU. According to Eurostat, the employment rate for people with disabilities aged 20-64 was 24% lower than their non disabled counterparts, which indicates there is still exclusion in the employment sector.

Further reinforcing this reality, an EU Impact Assessment found that young people aged 15-29 with severe disabilities experienced an unemployment rate of 18% compared to 8% for this age group in general.

Even virtual engagement has its barriers for young people with disabilities in the EU. The European Disability Forum’s Digital Skills Accommodation and Technological Assistance for Employment (DATA) report revealed that most employers remain unaware of assistive technologies: 81% have no policy on their acquisition, and only one in four have inclusive recruitment processes in place.

To continue, approximately three in four employers are uncertain whether employees even use such assistive tools. This means that even remote pathways to global engagement remain inaccessible for many young people with disabilities.

Recent policy development also continues to overlook the inclusion of young people with disabilities. For instance, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion emphasising that disability representation is needed in new technologies and AI.

While the European Union is making commendable progress in fostering inclusive consultation processes within international cooperation and development, further efforts are needed to ensure the genuine participation and voice of young people with disabilities.

The introduction of the European Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030 and the AccessibleEU Centre is showing that the EU is committed to promoting inclusion and accessibility.

However, despite these positive developments, challenges persist that hinder the full engagement of young people with disabilities in consultation processes.

For example, the European Disability Forum’s 2024 report ‘The Future of European International Cooperation and Humanitarian Action’ points out that while consultations involve organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), they rarely facilitate direct and meaningful involvement of young disabled individuals.

As a result, the specific perspectives and needs of that group are often absent from policy frameworks intended to support them.

Both Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps have developed Inclusion and Diversity Strategies, providing financial support, adapted activities, and additional resources to ensure participation by people with disabilities.

These programmes offer extra funding to cover costs such as personal assistance, adapted accommodation, and special equipment, while also ensuring that activities are accessible and inclusive for all young participants.

Needless to say, the reality for 5.7 million young Europeans with disabilities remains one of systematic exclusion from employment, education and mobility opportunities, everyday independent life and political participation.

Written by Eurodesk Brussels Link