[Disability in Iceland 1996: size and characteristics.].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the size and main medical and social characteristics of the group of individuals receiving disability benefits in Iceland and compare those with figures from the other Nordic countries.


METHODS
The study includes all those receiving disability benefits on the 1st of December 1996 as ascertained by the disability register at the State Social Security Institute of Iceland.


RESULTS
On the prevalence day 8714 individuals were receiving disability benefits. Of those there were 7315 individuals who had disability assessed as being more than 75% (4.2% of the total population between 16 and 66 years of age); women: 4286 (58.6%), men: 3029 (41.4%). Disability was assessed as being 50% or 65% for 1399 individuals (0.7% of the total population between 16 and 66 years of age); women: 914 (65.3%), men: 485 (34.7%). Of those receiving disability benefits there is thus a significant excess of women (p<0.0001). Individuals with >75% disability are in excess in the capital region as compared with other areas (p<0.001 for men, p=0.03 for women). When different age groups within the population are compared there is a steady increase with age of the ratio of individuals with >75% disability. Disability is most commonly associated with mental disorders or diseases of the musculoskeletal system.


CONCLUSIONS
The percentage of the total population receiving disability benefits in Iceland, is similar to that in Denmark but considerably lower than in Finland, Norway and Sweden. When different age groups are compared it emerges that there are more individuals below 30 years of age receiving disability benefits in Iceland than in the other Nordic countries. In the older age groups this ratio is reversed and gets more marked with increasing age. The following main explanations for this difference are suggested: the level of allowance and organization of the social security system is different in Iceland compared with the other Nordic countries; the Icelandic unemployment level is lower and work participation higher, especially in the upper age groups in Iceland.
Thorlacius
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Stefansson
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Olafsson
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