People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age in United Kingdom

United Kingdom: People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age was 24.1% in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)
24.1%
Change on year
up 5.2%
World rank
3rd
of 47 countries
All-time high
24.1%
in 2018
All-time low
12.9%
in 2012
Years of data
11
2008–2018

People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age in United Kingdom, 2008–2018

05101520252008201320182008: 14.2 Percentage2009: 13.5 Percentage2010: 15.1 Percentage2011: 16 Percentage2012: 12.9 Percentage2013: 15.5 Percentage2014: 14.6 Percentage2015: 15.5 Percentage2016: 18.4 Percentage2017: 22.9 Percentage2018: 24.1 Percentage

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.

Analysis

The most recent figure for people having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age in United Kingdom is 24.1%, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.

That represents a change of up 5.2% on the previous year and up 69.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, people having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age in United Kingdom peaked at 24.1% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 12.9%, in 2012.

United Kingdom ranks 3rd of 47 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.

People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age in United Kingdom, year by year

Annual values for People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age and educational attainment level in United Kingdom, 2008 to 2018.
Year Percentage Change
2008 14.2%
2009 13.5% -4.9%
2010 15.1% +11.9%
2011 16.0% +6.0%
2012 12.9% -19.4%
2013 15.5% +20.2%
2014 14.6% -5.8%
2015 15.5% +6.2%
2016 18.4% +18.7%
2017 22.9% +24.5%
2018 24.1% +5.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 13.8% 13.5% 14.2% 2
2010s 17.2% 12.9% 24.1% 9

Countries ranked near United Kingdom

  1. 1 Finland 36.1% compare
  2. 2 Norway 31.8% compare
  3. 3 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 24.1% compare
  4. 5 Estonia 22.9% compare
  5. 5 Estonia 22.9% compare

See the full ranking of 53 places →

More health data for United Kingdom

All data for United Kingdom →

Frequently asked questions

What is people having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age in United Kingdom?
People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age in United Kingdom was 24.1% in 2018, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest people having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age recorded in United Kingdom?
The highest recorded value was 24.1% in 2018.
What is the lowest people having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age recorded in United Kingdom?
The lowest recorded value was 12.9% in 2012.
How does United Kingdom rank for people having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age?
United Kingdom ranks 3rd out of 47 countries with data for 2018.
Is people having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age rising or falling in United Kingdom?
Over the last ten years it is up 69.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age and educational attainment level. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age in United Kingdom. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 13 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/people-having-a-long-standing-illness-or-health-problem-by-sex-age-and-educational/united-kingdom-2/

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About this data

Indicator
People having a long-standing illness or health problem, by sex, age and educational attainment level
Unit
Percentage
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
53 places, 854 data points, 2008–2025
Last refreshed