Disability News and Statistics for Asia and the Pacific
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Disability news, statistics, and health information for Asia and the Pacific, including China and Japan, covering education, disaster risk, and cultural views.
At a Glance
- 1 - About 750 million people in Asia and the Pacific live with some form of disability, according to ESCAP.
- 2 - Women and girls with disabilities in the region often face double discrimination and even less access to education.
- 3 - That is about 16 percent of the region's population, the largest number of people with disabilities of any world region.
- 4 - Persons with disabilities face higher risk of death and injury in disasters because they are often excluded from disaster risk reduction plans.
Topic Definition
- Disability in Asia and the Pacific
Disability in Asia and the Pacific refers to the vast and diverse population of people with physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychosocial conditions living across this part of the world, which is home to by far the largest number of persons with disabilities anywhere. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific estimates that about 750 million people with disabilities live here, and most of them are poor, with their concerns often unknown and their rights overlooked. The challenges run deep: children with disabilities rarely reach a classroom, women and girls face a double layer of discrimination, and disasters that frequently strike the region put disabled people at even greater risk because they are so often left out of planning. Cultural attitudes add another dimension, since disability is sometimes wrongly tied to misconduct in a past life or treated as a family disgrace - beliefs that make public awareness and destigmatization all the more important. At the same time, the region carries a long tradition of Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, some of whose therapies modern research has begun to study.
Overview
News related to disabilities and health from the nations of Asia and the Pacific, including China and Japan.
About 750 million men, women, and children in Asia and the Pacific, or 16 percent of the region's population, live with some form of disability, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). This is the largest number of people with disabilities of any world region. Many of them live in poverty, and their needs and rights are often overlooked.
Asia and the Pacific is often struck by disasters, and persons with disabilities face a disproportionate risk during disasters and emergencies, in part because they are often left out of disaster risk reduction planning and services [United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, n.d.].
Disability affects whole families as well as individuals. Many people with disabilities in the region are excluded from education, work, and social life, and women and girls with disabilities often face double discrimination, with even less access to education than boys and men with disabilities.
In some societies in Asia, disability is wrongly seen as punishment for misconduct in a previous life, and a family member with a disability may be treated as a disgrace to the family. This is an important reason to raise public awareness and reduce the stigma around disability.
Governments in the region adopted the Incheon Strategy to "Make the Right Real" for persons with disabilities for the 2013 to 2022 Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, and that work continues under the Jakarta Declaration for the 2023 to 2032 decade.
Many Asian cultures have a long history of Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, including massage and herbal treatments. Some of these practices are being studied by modern research, but many have not been proven to work and some herbal products can cause harm, so it is wise to talk to a doctor before using them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people with disabilities live in Asia and the Pacific?
Older United Nations estimates placed almost 60 percent of the world's 650 million persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific now puts the figure at about 750 million, or 16 percent of the region's population, the largest number of any region.
Why do disasters affect people with disabilities more in this region?
The Asia Pacific region is often struck by disasters, and persons with disabilities face higher risk of death and injury because they are frequently excluded from disaster risk reduction policies and plans.
What barriers to education do disabled children face in Asia?
Many children with disabilities in Asian Pacific countries do not attend school, and girls with disabilities face double discrimination that limits their access even further.
How is disability viewed in some Asian cultures?
In certain societies disability is sometimes wrongly linked to misconduct in a previous life or seen as a family disgrace, which is why raising awareness and reducing stigma remain important.
What is the role of traditional medicine in the region?
Many Asian cultures have a long history of Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, including massage and herbal therapies, and some of these approaches are now being studied by modern research.
Which countries are covered by disability news in Asia and the Pacific?
Coverage spans nations across the Asian and Pacific region, including major countries such as China and Japan along with many others in the wider area.
How does disability contribute to poverty in Asia and the Pacific?
Many people with disabilities in the region are poor and excluded from social and economic opportunities, which reinforces cycles of poverty and limits access to services.
What is the Incheon Strategy?
The Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific was adopted in 2012 and set 10 goals for the 2013 to 2022 Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities. Its work continues under the Jakarta Declaration for a new decade from 2023 to 2032.
References
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. (n.d.). Disability-inclusive development.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: