Estonia has the highest proportion of people aged 50 to 74 receiving disability pensions in the European Union (EU), according to figures from Eurostat released during EU Diversity Month 2025.

The data shows that 11.5 per cent of Estonians in this age group receive disability-related benefits, more than double the EU average of 4.6 per cent.

Furthermore, the data reveals a notable disparity across Europe in how disability pensions are distributed.

For example, Denmark (10.1 per cent) and Lithuania (9.1 per cent) followed Estonia at the top, while Cyprus (1.9 per cent), Malta (2.2 per cent), and Greece (2.5 per cent) recorded the lowest shares of disability pensioners.

Overall, 45.1 per cent of people aged 50 to 74 in the EU received some form of pension in 2023. Of these, 39.7 per cent were old-age pensioners, 4.6 per cent were disability pension recipients, and 0.8 per cent received both types.

Disability pensions dominate among younger pensioners in the 50–59 age bracket, but old-age pensions take precedence in older groups. By the 70–74 age range, 97.2 per cent of men and 89.5 per cent of women were receiving old-age pensions, underscoring the shift in pension type as people age.

Poland (56.2 per cent), Estonia (54.7 per cent) and Slovakia (54.7 per cent) had the highest overall pension coverage in this age group. In contrast, Spain (30.7 per cent), Greece (34.1 per cent), and Italy (35.4 per cent) recorded the lowest rates.

The report was published as part of EU Diversity Month 2025, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in workplaces and society across Europe.

Coordinated by the European Commission, it highlights best practices, encourages equal treatment, and supports underrepresented groups through awareness campaigns and events.

---