The Czech Republic is a country located in Central Europe, with a population reaching almost 11 million people. Approximately 1.3 million of the citizens live with a disability. Income poverty and exclusion affect this group the most. Here is more information about disability and poverty in Czechia.

Current Challenges

According to the data that the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions provided, the poverty risk rate for working-age persons with disabilities in Czechia was 13.2% in 2023, double compared to other persons of similar age. 

Younger people with disabilities face particular disadvantages as well. Those in the 18-24 age group are far more likely to leave school early compared to their peers and are less likely to graduate from tertiary education. A significant group of children with disabilities receive education in separate schools rather than the public system, which deepens the social exclusion. The link between disability and poverty in Czechia starts at the very beginning of the societal and professional path.

The most common type of disability in Czechia is mobility impairment. People with disabilities point to transport and navigation of public spaces as their greatest challenges.

There are multiple elements within the national social security system to support individuals with disabilities such as financial benefits, tax relief, insurance and assistance. However, there is little focus on vocational rehabilitation, which experts point as perhaps the most productive solution to poverty and disability connection. Job market opportunities for people with disabilities are limited with low motivation for accommodations.

Past Achievements

Since joining international efforts for inclusion, such as ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, Czechia made considerable progress in terms of legislation related to the protection of this citizen group.

The employment rate of persons with disabilities is marginally above the EU average. The government has incorporated multiple incentives in labor law to help achieve it, for example supplier diversity programs, parities requirements and targeted efforts from The Regional Employment Agencies to assist people with disabilities in finding suitable workplaces.

Many municipalities participated in the National Development Program for Mobility for All, which has been implemented since 2005, removing barriers and improving mobility in urbanized areas.

Plan for the Future

To better accommodate citizens with disabilities, the Czech government has approved a National Plan for Persons with Disabilities for 2026-2030. What is especially interesting in this new Plan is the integrated, holistic approach to proposed solutions. The Plan will focus on improving accessibility in public buildings and transport infrastructure, with both elements intentionally linked. 

The basic objective of the National Accessibility for All Programme is to build comprehensive barrier-free pedestrian routes with direct links to the buildings of public institutions. Simply put, the plan is to not only help people get to the location or to navigate within the building, but to enable both, creating an accessible experience.

To support the efforts described in the Plan, on January 1, 2025, the amendment to the Czech Employment Act came into force, especially the obligation to employ a mandatory proportion of disabled employees. This change aims to encourage employers to hire disabled employees and prevent attempts to circumvent existing mechanisms.

Looking Ahead

The government describes the importance of the Plan as fundamental for the effective functioning and sustainable development of cities and municipalities, with regard to the demographic development of society and decreasing disability and poverty in Czechia.

– Patrycja Pietrzak

Patrycja is based in Cyprus and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash