Work disability

People with a work disability are defined as people aged 15-64 years with a long-term illness or impairment which restricts them in doing or finding a job. It is therefore a fairly subjective definition in practice.

The data on people with a work disability are taken from the labour force survey. In this survey everybody in the sample is asked two questions in order to determine whether they suffer from a work disability. They are asked whether they suffer from one or more long-term impairment or illness. Those who answer affirmatively are asked whether this impairment or illness has restricted them in carrying out or getting a job.