The Learning People
Summary of Research Findings
In summary the research, undertaken by Gfk NOP in August 2007, showed that 2.041 million people in Britain are currently unaware they have dyslexia in comparison to the accepted 10% average in this country. This figure is based on population data from the Office for National Statistics in August 2007.
Age Group |
Population (millions) – Office for National Statistics |
% with dyslexia – The Learning People research |
16-34 |
14,976.20 |
9.42 |
35-54 |
16,958.10 |
5.57 |
55-64 |
7,025.8 |
4.60 |
65+ |
9,648.8 |
2.34 |
Total |
48,611.9 |
Average = 5.48 |
It is estimated that typically 10% of the population (or even more) show some signs of dyslexia, particularly when it is present in other members of the family. (See Pennington B.F., Diagnosing Learning Disorders, New York, Guilford) http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/research.html
The research highlights that only 5.8% of British adults are aware they have dyslexia, which is 4.2% under the widely accepted national average of 10%.
Based on the total UK adult population (16 years and over) of 48,611.9 million, 4.2% of this demographic is is 2.041 million.
Other key findings:
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Two thirds of people believe that dyslexia is a life long learning disability
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A fifth of people believe that dyslexics would do better if they just worked harder
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Three quarters of people know little or less than a little about dyslexia
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One in ten people do not know what dyslexia is
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Over half of the UK population has a very limited understanding of dyslexia and think it’s just about getting letters back to front
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A quarter of people think that dyslexics are worse at work than non dyslexics
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9 out of 10 people have never heard of dyscalculia
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Two thirds people believe that good reading and writing skills are more important than maths and high self esteem
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8 out of 10 people would welcome The Learning People’s initiative.
Number of undiagnosed dyslexic adults in key UK regions:
Region (broken down by Gfk NOP) |
Population (Gfk NOP) |
Number of undiagnosed dyslexics (4.2% of population) |
Scotland |
3,986,093 |
167,416 |
North |
2,381,895 |
100,036 |
North West |
5,055,220 |
212,319 |
Yorkshire & Humberside |
4,083,317 |
171,499 |
East Midlands |
3,500,118 |
147,005 |
Wales |
2,381,944 |
100,041 |
Anglia |
1,847,210 |
77,582 |
West Midlands |
4,326,622 |
181,718 |
South West |
4,132,514 |
173,565 |
London |
6,027,898 |
253,171 |
South East |
9,527,918 |
400,172 |
Northern Ireland |
1,361,041 |
57,164 |
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