Perceived age and disability discrimination rises across EU

By Mithran Samuel on November 10, 2009 in Adults, Disability, Older people

Perceived levels of age and disability discrimination have risen sharply in the past year across Europe, a European Commission survey has revealed.

It found that 58% of European Union residents surveyed felt age discrimination was widespread in their country, up from 42% in a similar survey last year.

On disability, 53% thought discrimination was widespread, compared with 45% in 2008.

A number of respondents linked rising discrimination to the economic downturn. Some 64% thought the crisis would lead to an increase in age discrimination, while 56% thought it would fuel disability discrimination.

Equality policies

Half thought equality and diversity policies would be seen as less important or would be less well funded as a result of the economic crisis.

Among UK citizens, 61% thought age discrimination was widespread – above the EU average – while 50% thought disability discrimination widespread, below the continental average.

Of disabled people surveyed, 69% thought discrimination against the group was widespread; 33% had been victims of discrimination in the previous 12 months, up from 31% in 2008.