1. Accessibility Directorate
  2. Prevalence of disabilities in Nova Scotia

Prevalence of disabilities in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has a higher percentage of disabled citizens than any other province in Canada.

30% of Nova Scotians 15 years and older have at least one disability

The Canadian Average is: 22.3%.

Bar chart showing percentages for other provinces from highest to lowest: Nova Scotia: 30.4%, New Brunswick: 26.7%, Prince Edward Island: 26%, Yukon: 25.2%, Manitoba: 24.8%, British Columbia: 24.7%, Saskatchewan: 24.3%, Ontario: 24.1%, Newfoundland: 23.6%, Alberta: 21.7%, Northwest Territories: 20%, Nunavut: 18.2%, Quebec: 16.1%.

This represents 229,430 people in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotians with at least one disability by gender

Females: 32.4%.
Male: 28.1%.

Nova Scotians with at least one disability by age group

Youth aged 15-24: 21%. Working-age adults aged 25-64: 29%. Older adults aged 65 plus: 41%.

Four most common disability types

19.8% pain related, 14.2% flexibility, 13.3% mobility, 11.8% mental health related.

Other disability types

6.7% Dexterity,
6.6% Hearing,
6.6% Seeing,
5.3% Memory,
5.3 Learning,
1.3% Developmental.

Labour force and disability status

Aged 24-64

In the labour force: 62.2% persons with disabilities, 84.5% of persons without disabilities.
Employed: 55.4% persons with disabilities, 78.8% of persons without disabilities.

Source: Canadian Survey on Disability, 2017, Statistics Canada.