Neurodivergent Fit2017
85% of college-educated autistic adults are underemployed or unemployed (Autism Speaks)
Approximately 85% of college-educated adults on the autism spectrum are underemployed or unemployed, the highest underemployment rate of any disability group with tertiary-level education.
Primary source
Autism Speaks Employment Tool Kit
https://www.autismspeaks.org/employmentPublished 2017 — compiled by JobCannon Research.
Why this stat matters
This figure belongs to the neurodivergent fitvertical of JobCannon's ongoing review of hiring, AI, and career-outcome research. We track it because it is one of the few primary-source estimates with a published sample, methodology, or legal record. Cite the original source first; this page exists to make the figure easy to find and link to.
Related stats
- 22% of autistic adults in UK employment; 77% want to work (National Autistic Society 2021)National Autistic Society 'The Autism Employment Gap' — 2021
- ACLU EEOC charge v Aon over neurodivergent + race bias (2023)ACLU press release — 2023
- 11 LLMs rated 'I have autism' worse than 'I am a bank robber'Brandsen, Duke (analysis at Algorithm Unmasked) — 2024
- >90% retention in neurodivergent hiring programmesMicrosoft Accessibility Blog (corporate) — 2024
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