Disability Statistics

Persons with disabilities remain disadvantaged in the Arab region. Expanding the inclusion of persons with disabilities cannot be achieved without changing the policy landscape in the region. This is mainly achieved by improving the collection, production and dissemination of disability data.

Our approach

Disability Statistics programme aims to improve the production, dissemination and communication of disability statistics in areas of critical concern, including those in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ESCWA works with member States to improve existing tools, modernize data sources and explore other sources such as big data and non-traditional data to provide a more comprehensive picture on the living conditions of persons with disabilities.

Our partners

• National Statistics Offices in ESCWA member States
• The United Nations Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs
• The Washington Group on Disability Statistics
• United Nations agencies (UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO, WHO)
• United Nations Regional Commissions
• League of Arab States
• Statistics, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries
• The Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics
• National and regional experts, academics, NGOs and the media
• International Disability Alliance
• Inclusive Data Charter
• CBM Global Disability Inclusion

Our activities

ESCWA seeks to improve countries’ capacity to produce intersectional analysis to highlight issues and gaps relating to persons with disabilities; provide capacity-building activities including technical advisory consultation, workshops and training materials; develop methodological toolkits to improve production and analysis of quality and standardized disability statistics; organize interagency and expert group meetings to promote standards, share knowledge and good practices; develop and maintain disability statistics database and dashboards; and collect disability statistics from national and international sources. ESCWA also represents the Arab region in several regional and international meetings. ESCWA has been contributing to the Secretary-General Report on Disability and Development (2018 and 2023) by providing harmonized regional data on persons with disabilities and reviewing the Arabic version of the report