Disabilities in the U.S. in 2025
The landscape of disability in America continues to evolve, with recent data revealing significant insights about the millions of Americans living with functional disabilities. According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, disabilities affect a substantial portion of the American population, crossing all demographic boundaries and age groups. Understanding these statistics is crucial for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities working to create inclusive environments that support individuals with disabilities.
Current trends show that more than a quarter of American adults report having a functional disability, representing approximately 70 million Americans who navigate daily life with challenges in hearing, vision, mobility, cognition, self-care, or independent living. This data underscores the importance of comprehensive disability awareness and the need for accessible infrastructure, healthcare services, and employment opportunities across the nation.
Key Disability Facts in the U.S. 2025
| Disability Fact | Statistic | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Adults with any functional disability | 28.7% | 2022 |
| Total Americans with disabilities | 70 million | 2022 |
| Adults aged 65+ with disabilities | 43.9% | 2022 |
| Young adults (18-44) with disabilities | 23.6% | 2022 |
| Adults with cognitive difficulties | 13.9% | 2022 |
| Long COVID prevalence in disabled adults | 10.8% | 2022 |
| Depression rates among disabled adults | 43.6% | 2022 |
| Adults with difficulty hearing | 15.4% | 2023 |
| Adults with difficulty seeing | 18.8% | 2023 |
| Adults with mobility difficulties | 18.6% | 2023 |
In 2025, disability remains a major public health issue in the United States. Based on recent figures, 28.7% of U.S. adults report at least one functional disability, totaling an estimated 70 million Americans. Among older adults aged 65 and above, the rate climbs to 43.9%, while 23.6% of young adults aged 18–44 also live with disabilities, indicating that functional limitations are widespread across age groups. Cognitive difficulties alone affect 13.9% of adults, and 10.8% of those with disabilities also report suffering from long COVID, a lingering condition that continues to impact daily functioning and quality of life.
The data also reveal specific impairments and mental health trends among the disabled population. Depression affects 43.6% of disabled adults, a significant mental health burden that underscores the need for comprehensive care and emotional support systems. Additionally, sensory and physical challenges are common, with 15.4% of adults experiencing difficulty hearing, 18.8% having vision problems, and 18.6% reporting mobility issues. These figures demonstrate the urgent need for inclusive infrastructure, better healthcare access, and policy interventions that support independence and well-being for millions of Americans living with disabilities.
Overall Disability Prevalence in the U.S. 2025
| Disability Fact | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Adults with functional disability | 28.7% of U.S. adults |
| Total affected population | 70 million Americans |
| Types of challenges | Hearing, vision, mobility, cognition, self-care, independent living |
According to the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an estimated 28.7% of adults in the United States—equivalent to around 70 million people—live with a functional disability. These disabilities span a broad range of challenges including hearing, vision, mobility, cognitive function, self-care, and independent living. This substantial figure reflects a growing need to understand the full scope of disability as a nationwide public health concern, not just a niche issue.
The data underscores that disabilities are widespread across all age groups and demographics in the U.S., not limited to the elderly or a particular population segment. With such a significant portion of the country affected, it becomes critical to strengthen inclusive policies, enhance accessibility in public and private sectors, and invest in services that support independent living. Recognizing this prevalence is the first step toward building an environment that empowers people with disabilities to thrive.
Age-Related Disability Statistics in the U.S. 2025
| Age Group | Disability Prevalence | Key Insights |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 65+ years | 43.9% | Highest disability rates |
| Adults 18-44 years | 23.6% | Increased from 21.2% in 2021 |
| All adults 18+ | 28.7% | Overall national average |
The relationship between age and disability prevalence shows clear patterns in the latest data. Adults aged 65 and older experience the highest rates of disability at 43.9%, which aligns with the natural aging process where health conditions and injuries become more common over time. This statistic emphasizes the importance of accessible healthcare and community services for older adults.
Notably, younger adults aged 18-44 years showed an increase in reported disabilities, rising from 21.2% in 2021 to 23.6% in 2022. This trend suggests that disability is not exclusively an issue of aging but affects Americans across all life stages. The increase among younger adults may reflect various factors including improved awareness and reporting of disabilities, as well as emerging health conditions that affect younger populations.
Sensory Disability Statistics in the U.S. 2023
| Sensory Disability Type | Prevalence | Population Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty seeing | 18.8% | Adults 18+ |
| Difficulty hearing | 15.4% | Adults 18+ |
| Difficulty walking/climbing steps | 18.6% | Adults 18+ |
Sensory disabilities represent a significant category of functional limitations affecting millions of Americans. Visual difficulties affect 18.8% of adults aged 18 and older, making it one of the most common types of sensory impairments. This statistic includes individuals with serious difficulty seeing or blindness, highlighting the need for accessible design and assistive technologies in public spaces and workplaces.
Hearing difficulties impact 15.4% of adults, representing millions of Americans who experience challenges with auditory processing or complete hearing loss. Combined with mobility challenges affecting 18.6% of adults who have difficulty walking or climbing steps, these sensory and physical disabilities underscore the importance of universal design principles in creating accessible environments for all Americans.
Cognitive Disability Statistics in the U.S. 2022
| Cognitive Disability Metric | Statistic | Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|
| Adults with cognitive difficulties | 13.9% | Increased from 12.8% in 2021 |
| Serious difficulty remembering/concentrating | 13.9% | +1.1 percentage points |
| Making decisions difficulties | 13.9% | Combined metric |
Cognitive disabilities have shown a notable increase in recent years, with 13.9% of adults reporting serious difficulty with remembering, concentrating, and making decisions in 2022, compared to 12.8% in 2021. This represents more than a full percentage point increase, indicating either improved recognition and reporting of cognitive challenges or a genuine increase in cognitive difficulties among the American population.
The rise in cognitive disabilities may reflect various factors including the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased awareness of conditions like ADHD and autism in adults, or the growing recognition of cognitive symptoms associated with other health conditions. This trend emphasizes the need for cognitive accessibility measures in educational institutions, workplaces, and public services to support individuals with cognitive disabilities in participating fully in society.
Severe Functional Limitation Statistics in the U.S. 2019
| Severe Limitation Category | Adults 18+ | Adults 65+ |
|---|---|---|
| Number with severe limitations | 22.7 million | 10.2 million |
| Percentage with severe limitations | 9.0% | 19.3% |
| Domains affected | 6 functional areas | 6 functional areas |
The most severe functional limitations affect 22.7 million adults nationwide, representing 9.0% of all adults aged 18 and older. These individuals report having “a lot of difficulty” or “cannot do at all” in at least one of six domains of functioning: seeing, hearing, mobility, communication, cognition, or self-care. This data represents the population with the most significant functional challenges who require comprehensive support services.
Among adults aged 65 and older, 10.2 million individuals or 19.3% of this age group experience severe functional limitations. This higher prevalence among older adults reinforces the connection between aging and increased disability rates, while also highlighting the substantial number of older Americans who maintain their functional independence. These statistics are crucial for healthcare planning and resource allocation for aging populations.
Long COVID and Disability Statistics in the U.S. 2022
| Long COVID Metric | Adults with Disabilities | Adults without Disabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Long COVID prevalence | 10.8% | 6.6% |
| Difference in rates | +4.2 percentage points | Baseline comparison |
For the first time in 2022, the CDC’s surveillance system collected data on Long COVID experiences, revealing significant disparities between people with and without disabilities. Adults with disabilities reported Long COVID at a rate of 10.8%, compared to 6.6% among adults without disabilities. This 4.2 percentage point difference suggests that individuals with existing disabilities may be more vulnerable to developing Long COVID or may experience more severe or persistent symptoms.
This data has important implications for healthcare planning and support services, as it indicates that people with disabilities may face additional health challenges related to COVID-19 infections. The higher prevalence of Long COVID among disabled adults emphasizes the need for targeted healthcare interventions and continued monitoring of post-COVID health effects in this population.
Mental Health and Disability Statistics in the U.S. 2022
| Mental Health Indicator | Adults with Disabilities | Adults without Disabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Depression rates | 43.6% | 13.7% |
| Difference in rates | +29.9 percentage points | Baseline comparison |
Mental health disparities represent one of the most significant challenges facing Americans with disabilities. Depression affects 43.6% of adults with disabilities, compared to only 13.7% of adults without disabilities. This nearly 30 percentage point difference represents a substantial mental health disparity that affects millions of Americans with disabilities.
The high rate of depression among disabled adults reflects the complex interplay between disability, social isolation, economic challenges, and healthcare access barriers. This statistic underscores the critical need for integrated mental health services within disability support programs and the importance of addressing both physical and mental health needs comprehensively. Healthcare providers and policymakers must recognize that mental health support is an essential component of comprehensive disability care.
Conclusion
28.7% of American adults live with functional disabilities, representing 70 million individuals who contribute to communities across the nation. These comprehensive data points demonstrate that disability affects Americans of all ages, with particular increases noted among younger adults and those with cognitive challenges. Understanding these statistics is essential for creating inclusive policies, accessible infrastructure, and comprehensive support services that enable all Americans to participate fully in society.
The data also highlights significant health disparities, particularly in mental health outcomes and Long COVID prevalence, emphasizing the need for targeted healthcare interventions and continued research into the unique health needs of people with disabilities. As these statistics continue to evolve, they serve as crucial indicators for measuring progress toward a more inclusive and accessible America.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
