Baku — July 16, 2025 — As of the beginning of 2025, Azerbaijan has officially registered 498,442 persons with disabilities, marking a 1% decrease (5,243 individuals) compared to 2023, according to figures published by Report.
Of the total, 454,944 are adults aged 18 and over. These individuals are categorized based on the degree of functional impairment:
-
64,187 people are classified with severe disability (81–100% impairment),
-
265,128 individuals have moderate disability (61–80%),
-
125,629 are considered to have mild to moderate disability (31–60%).
The number of children with disabilities (under 18) stands at 43,498.
Under current Azerbaijani law, monthly state benefits are paid based on the degree of disability:
-
600 AZN for 81–100% impairment,
-
500 AZN for 61–80% impairment,
-
400 AZN for 31–60% impairment.
While the data reflects improved diagnostic and classification systems, experts note that accessibility, rehabilitation, and inclusive services — especially for children — remain limited in many regions. Advocacy groups have also raised concerns about employment discrimination, insufficient inclusive education opportunities, and bureaucratic barriers in accessing benefits.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has pledged to increase digitalization and transparency in medical-social expertise procedures, which determine disability status. However, watchdog organizations argue that more systemic reform is needed to ensure that persons with disabilities are treated not as beneficiaries of aid, but as full participants in society.
