The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said there are about 93,000 persons with disabilities in Palestine, one fifth of them are children under the age of 18.

The data came in a report issued by PCBS on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed by the United Nations on December 3rd to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Citing statistics conducted as part of the Population, Housing and Establishments Census, 2017, PCBS said persons with disabilities in Palestine constitute 2.1% of the total population; 48% in the West Bank and 52% in Gaza Strip.

20% of persons with disabilities in Palestine are children under 18 years old. The percentage of male children was higher than that of females in the same age group, reaching 21% and 18% respectively. The percentage was more prevalent in Gaza Strip (22%) than in the West Bank (17%), according to the Population, Housing and Establishments Census, 2017.

Data indicates that 13% of persons with disabilities live in the rural areas compared to 12% live in the camps of Palestine.

More than one third of persons (10 years and over) with disabilities are illiterate Data indicated that illiteracy rates among persons aged 10 years and over with disabilities reached 32% in Palestine in 2017.

About 46% of children with disabilities aged 6-17 years are not enrolled in education in 2017. These rates varied between West Bank 51% and Gaza Strip 31%.

The 2017 Census data indicated that the unemployment rate among persons with disabilities in Palestine participating in the labor force who are aged 15 years and over was 37%, (19% in the West Bank and 54% in Gaza Strip).