A new study from the University of Birmingham has found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) costs the UK economy an estimated £40 billion each year, highlighting the urgent need for better diagnosis, treatment, and support systems for those affected.
According to the research, the average annual cost per person with PTSD is around £14,781, factoring in both direct and indirect expenses. With an estimated 2.6 million people currently living with PTSD in the UK—roughly 4% of the population—the national financial impact is considerable.
The findings, published in BMJ Open and funded by Supporting Wounded Veterans and The Veterans Foundation, offer the most comprehensive picture to date of the financial burden posed by PTSD. Despite growing public awareness of mental health issues, the disorder continues to be widely misunderstood, often misdiagnosed, and heavily stigmatised.
A Breakdown of the Costs
Researchers reviewed more than three decades of data (1990–2023) to assess PTSD’s economic footprint. The annual direct costs per patient—such as hospital stays, medications, GP visits, and mental health services—amounted to £1,118. Indirect costs, however, were much higher, averaging £13,663. These include:
- Homelessness support
- Disability and unemployment benefits
- Lost workplace productivity (through both absenteeism and presenteeism)
- Premature mortality
- Social services support, such as home-care workers and mental health professionals
When extrapolated across the UK population with PTSD, these costs collectively account for an annual total of £40 billion.
Professor Paul Montgomery, lead researcher and Professor of Social Intervention at the University of Birmingham, commented:
“Health and well-being significantly affect not just individuals but also the national economy. Missed workdays, treatment needs, and related social support services add up quickly. This study gives us, for the first time, a clear and detailed picture of PTSD’s share of those broader economic costs.”
Hidden and Unmeasured Costs
Despite the £40 billion estimate, the study authors caution that the true cost of PTSD may be even higher. Professor Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, an economist and co-author, noted that certain societal burdens remain difficult to quantify, such as:
- The impact of stigma and discrimination on employment and income
- The additional strain on the criminal justice system and family support services
- The intersection of PTSD with other mental health conditions
“These are real costs that likely add billions more,” said Bandyopadhyay. “But they remain largely invisible in current economic models.”
COVID-19 and the Rise in PTSD Cases
The study also warns of a rising trend in PTSD cases due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers estimate an additional 77,000 cases per year are likely to emerge in the UK, putting even more pressure on healthcare and social systems.
Professor Montgomery stressed that this trend makes it imperative for the government to act:
“If the government is serious about reducing the economic cost of poor mental health, then investing in accurate data collection, more effective therapies, and expanding access to evidence-based PTSD interventions must be a priority.”
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