Bipolar disorder statistics 2025

Further reading: Mental health assessment Symptoms Diagnosis Causes Types Treatment

People with bipolar disorder experience distinct episodes of mania, hypomania, depression, or a mix of these. Each type of episode has its own set of symptoms and can be highly distressing for both the individual and those close to them.

To help you gain a greater understanding of this condition, we’ve compiled a series of facts and figures on bipolar from leading healthcare organisations, charities and research in the field.

Prevalence

Approximately 1.7% of adults in England had experienced bipolar disorder. [1]
3.4% of UK 16–24‑year‑olds screened positive for bipolar, vs. 0.4% of UK adults aged 65–74. [2]
Worldwide, there were around 39.5 million prevalent cases of bipolar (approximately 0.53% of global adults), which had increased from 24.8 million in 1990. [3]
In 2021, data showed that global bipolar rates were highest among ages 25-29 (0.7%). [4]

Impact on Health Services

In the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust, there were approximately 500 admissions per year for bipolar disorder from 2015 to 2017. Two-thirds of these were readmissions. [5]
Bipolar disorder is estimated to cost the UK an estimated £6 billion annually, when considering healthcare, social care, lost productivity, and suicidality. [6]
It was reported in 2022 that mental health-related GP appointments have increased steadily over the past five years, with mood disorders like bipolar disorder accounting for a significant share. [7]
Since 2019, the NHS Long-Term Plan has included targeted initiatives to improve diagnosis, access to psychological therapies, and community-based care for people with bipolar disorder. It aims to reduce hospital admissions and support long-term recovery (NHS England, 2019). [8]

People Seeking Professional Treatment

A 2014 study indicated that 40% of people with bipolar disorder had not received mental health care in the past year. [9]
The average delay to diagnosis after first symptoms is about 9.5 years, highlighting significant barriers to early intervention. [10]
The use of lithium as a treatment has declined. In 2015/16, 51,682 patients were prescribed lithium carbonate, which decreased to 42,534 in 2023/24. [11]
Approximately two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder also experience another psychiatric condition. Anxiety, substance use, and impulse control disorders are the most common co-occurring conditions. [12]

Occupation/workplace

It's estimated that around 372,000 people are currently out of work due to bipolar disorder. The economic impact of this is estimated at £9.6 billion per year, due to the reliance on benefits. [13]
Over 44% of people with bipolar disorder report stigma in the workplace, impacting career progression and wellbeing. [10]
Employment rates among those with bipolar (40-60%) are significantly lower than the general population (74% on average). [14]

Family history

Twin and family studies estimate that between 60% and 85% of the risk for bipolar disorder is genetic in origin, with first-degree relatives having up to a 10-fold increased risk compared to the general population. [15]
Relatives of people with bipolar disorder also show higher rates of other psychiatric conditions, indicating shared genetic vulnerability. These include schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and ASD. [16]
Childhood trauma both mediates and amplifies the risk in those with a family history of bipolar disorder. Emotional abuse, in particular, is correlated with earlier onset and a more severe illness course. [17]