Nearly 2.5 Million People in England May Have ADHD

Data indicates that approximately 2.5 million individuals in England are likely affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), marking the first public estimate of the condition’s prevalence among the population. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, restlessness, distractibility, forgetfulness, trouble following instructions, and impulsive decision-making.

NHS England estimates that out of the 2,498,000 people who may have ADHD, around 741,000 are children and young people aged five to 24. These estimates are derived from guidelines by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which suggests that ADHD affects about 3-4% of adults and 5% of children and young people. Although ADHD is rarely diagnosed in children under five years old due to normal developmental variability, estimates suggest that 147,000 children under the age of four may be displaying traits associated with ADHD.

In addition, more than half a million individuals (549,000) in England were reported to be waiting for an ADHD assessment at the end of March 2025. This figure represents an increase from 416,000 waiting at the same time in the previous year. Among those waiting, approximately 304,000 had been on the list for over a year, and 144,000 had waited for at least two years. Notably, over two-thirds (382,000) of these individuals were aged between five and 24.

Louise Ansari, chief executive at Healthwatch England, stated that these figures are a preliminary step toward understanding the demand for ADHD services. She noted that many individuals with ADHD may not be receiving the support they need, attributing long waiting times as a barrier to seeking help. Ansari emphasized the need for comprehensive data on waiting lists to better understand the challenges faced by patients.

Estimates of adults in England waiting for ADHD assessments date back to 2019. At the end of March 2025, around 165,000 adults aged 25 and over were waiting, a stark increase compared to the pre-pandemic figure of 16,000 recorded in December 2019. Data for children and young adults is available only for the past year, indicating an increase from approximately 285,000 at the end of March 2024 to 384,000 at the end of March 2025.

Pippa Sargent, chief executive of The Brain Charity, remarked that the rising number of individuals seeking ADHD assessments reflects growing awareness and advocacy surrounding neurodiversity. She acknowledged the strengths that come with ADHD while expressing concern about the unmet needs of those waiting for assessments. Sargent called for immediate investment in diagnostic services and ongoing support to prevent individuals from facing prolonged struggles alone.

An NHS spokesperson confirmed that patients are experiencing lengthy wait times for ADHD assessments and diagnoses. In response, the NHS has initiated an independent taskforce to evaluate the challenges within ADHD services and to manage the increasing number of referrals. This taskforce will analyze the new data and other relevant evidence to develop recommendations, incorporating input from individuals with lived experiences and experts from various sectors.