UK Adult ADHD Statistics 2026

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This page gathers the most-quoted statistics on adult ADHD in the UK, from estimated prevalence to assessment waiting times and Right to Choose, each drawn from a named primary source and linked to the original record. It is information, not medical advice or a diagnosis, and only a qualified clinician can diagnose ADHD. Every figure below names its source and links to it.

3-4% of adults are estimated to have ADHD, the figure cited by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in its ADHD guidance. Source: NICE, ADHD: diagnosis and management (NG87)

Prevalence and diagnosis

about 5%

of children and young people are estimated to have ADHD, the figure cited alongside the adult estimate in NICE guidance. (NICE guideline NG87, current) Source: NICE, ADHD: diagnosis and management (NG87)

most

adults with ADHD in the UK remain undiagnosed, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which describes adult ADHD as substantially under-recognised. (Royal College of Psychiatrists position, current) Source: Royal College of Psychiatrists, ADHD in adults

Assessment and waiting times

up to 959,662

open referrals in England in June 2026 may be for an ADHD assessment (780,430 in mental health services data and up to 179,232 in community health services data). NHS England says these are upper limits and management information, not official statistics, and figures from February 2025 on are not comparable with earlier months. (June 2026, published 27 August 2026) Source: NHS England Digital, ADHD Management Information (August 2026) See the tracker of published ADHD waiting-time figures

2 reports

from the independent ADHD Taskforce set up by NHS England: an interim report in June 2025 and a final report on 6 November 2025. The final report calls for ADHD to be treated as a common condition and for waits to be cut urgently. Its recommendations are for government and the NHS to decide on. (June and November 2025) Source: NHS England, Report of the independent ADHD Taskforce

Years

is how long a wait for an adult ADHD assessment can run in some parts of England. Waits vary widely by area, as set out by the House of Commons Library. (House of Commons Library briefing, 2024) Source: House of Commons Library, ADHD: services and support See our guide to ADHD assessment waiting times

Right to Choose and routes to assessment

Right to Choose

gives patients in England a legal right to choose their provider for many elective referrals, including some ADHD assessments, under NHS choice rules. (NHS Choice Framework, current) Source: Department of Health and Social Care, NHS Choice Framework How NHS Right to Choose works for ADHD

Specialists

are the only clinicians who should diagnose ADHD: NICE guidance says a diagnosis should be made by a specialist with the training and expertise to assess it. A quiz or screening tool cannot diagnose ADHD. (NICE guideline NG87, current) Source: NICE, ADHD: diagnosis and management (NG87) Why online ADHD tests cannot diagnose

ADHD medication prescribing

436,952

NHS prescription items for the five licensed ADHD medicines (methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine, dexamfetamine and guanfacine) were dispensed by primary care in England in July 2026 alone, computed from the NHSBSA English Prescribing Dataset. Figures cover all ages, not adults only. (July 2026, latest published EPD month) Source: NHSBSA, English Prescribing Dataset (EPD) See the monthly ADHD prescribing tracker

+44%

year-on-year growth in monthly prescription items for ADHD medicines in England (July 2026 vs July 2025), computed from the NHSBSA English Prescribing Dataset. This counts prescription items, not people: one person can have several items in a month. (July 2025 to July 2026) Source: NHSBSA, English Prescribing Dataset (EPD) See the monthly ADHD prescribing tracker

Methodology and sources

Every figure on this page names its source and links to it. They come from official and professional bodies (the NHS, NICE, NHSBSA, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Parliament). The prescribing figures are worked out by us from the NHSBSA English Prescribing Dataset. The "last updated" date shows the last real change to the page, not an automated rebuild.

Cite this page

To reference these figures, please credit ADHD Helper and link to this page:

Source: ADHD Helper, UK Adult ADHD Statistics 2026, https://adhdhelper.co.uk/statistics/.

Compiled by Adam Parker. Published by ADHD Helper.