The Economic Activities of Koreans with Disabilities: Current State and Policy Implications

Abstract

This study looks at the economic activities of disabled Koreans as documented by the 2014 Survey of the Living Conditions of Disabled People, and suggest ways to improve the employment outcomes of people with disabilities aged 20~59. Of the young and middle-aged disabled Koreans, those economically active (either employed or unemployed but seeking work) accounted for 56.9 percent in 2014 (66.2 percent for the men and 36.8 percent for the women), versus 74.7 percent for all the population of the same age range. Among the disabled men, the economic participation rate was highest for those in their 30s at 74.6 percent and declined with age; for the women, the economic participation rate was lowest for those in their 30s at 32.7 percent and remained in the 30-percent range for the other age groups. The unemployment rate was higher for the disabled women (9.2 percent) than for the disabled men (7.4 percent) and for all Koreans of the same age range (3.7 percent). The share of the unemployed was largest in those in their 20s in both the men and women. The employment rate of disabled women, in particular, has increased in recent years for most of the age cohorts, remaining higher than that of disabled men. Of the examined population, 61.3 percent of the men and 33.4 percent of the women were found to be employed. The employment rate was highest for men in their 30s and for women in their 40s.