Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Robert Booth and Michael Goodier

Surge in young people declaring disability in England and Wales

Sad young woman sitting by a window
The census was taken in March 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, when depression rates surged. Photograph: Tunatura/Getty Images/iStockphoto

One in seven women in their 20s have been classed as disabled, after the census for England and Wales included mental health in its question about disability for the first time.

The number of girls and young women aged 10 to 19 declaring a disability almost doubled and among those aged 20 to 24 it almost tripled in England to 15%. There were hotspots in Lincoln, Norwich and Brighton, places with large student populations. The increase among young males was smaller but still significant.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.