Current and future costs of stroke in the UK
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Understanding the full impact of stroke
Stroke is one of the UK’s leading causes of death and long-term disability. Its effects extend well beyond the immediate medical emergency, affecting people’s independence, physical and mental wellbeing, family life and ability to work.
Commissioned by the Stroke Association and developed by LCP Health, our new report, Current and future costs of stroke in the UK, estimates the current and projected costs associated with stroke across health and social care, wider society and public finances.
In 2025, there were more than 105,000 new strokes in the UK, while around 1.4 million people were living with the longer-term effects of stroke. By 2035, the number of people living after stroke is projected to reach around 2 million.
The analysis shows that stroke cost the UK an estimated £25.71 billion in 2025, with costs projected to rise to £35.86 billion a year by 2035.
The report draws on contemporary national audit data, published evidence and detailed economic modelling to provide an updated picture of the challenge facing health and care systems across the UK. An expert advisory group was convened to inform the development of the modelling approach and provide independent challenge throughout the project. The group brought together expertise spanning people who have experienced stroke, stroke policy, health service delivery, research and evidence generation, population health, health economics, and healthcare strategy.
Explore the report
Read nowKey insights from the new report
The cost of stroke is substantial and rising
In 2025, the total annual cost of stroke in the UK was estimated at £25.71 billion. This includes £19.06 billion in NHS and Personal Social Services costs, alongside £6.65 billion in wider societal costs, such as reduced paid and unpaid productivity and informal care.
By 2035, the total annual cost is projected to reach £35.86 billion, an increase of 39% in real terms.
Long-term support drives the largest share of costs
The economic impact of stroke is not confined to the first year after the event. While acute treatment and early rehabilitation are resource-intensive, the largest share of costs is associated with the ongoing health, social care and support needs of people living with stroke in subsequent years.
In 2025, ongoing NHS and social care costs for stroke survivors were estimated at £16.63 billion, accounting for around 87% of total NHS and Personal Social Services costs associated with stroke.
Social care is central to the challenge
The analysis highlights the significant role played by social care, particularly long-term support and care home provision. Of the estimated £19.06 billion in NHS and Personal Social Services costs in 2025, £13.72 billion related to Personal Social Services.
This underlines the need for joined-up planning across the NHS, local authorities and community services.
Stroke affects the wider economy and public finances
The impact of stroke extends beyond formal health and care services. Wider societal costs were estimated at £6.65 billion in 2025, reflecting the impact on people’s ability to undertake paid work, unpaid activity and the support provided by family and friends.
The estimated fiscal impact of stroke including welfare payments and forgone tax and National Insurance contributions was £2.36 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach £2.88 billion by 2035.
Prevention, treatment and rehabilitation can help reduce future pressures
The projected rise in costs is driven by population ageing and improved survival after stroke. While more people surviving stroke is welcome progress, it also increases demand for rehabilitation, community services, social care and longer-term support.
Investment across the whole stroke pathway from prevention and rapid treatment to rehabilitation, research and life after stroke support has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce future pressures on public services.
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Your questions answered
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The report estimates the current and future economic impact of stroke across the UK between 2025 and 2035. It considers:
- NHS and Personal Social Services costs in the first year following stroke
- Ongoing NHS and social care costs for people living with stroke
- Wider societal impacts, including productivity and informal care
- Fiscal impacts on public finances
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Stroke was estimated to cost the UK £25.71 billion in 2025. This is projected to rise to £35.86 billion by 2035.
The number of new strokes is projected to increase from around 105,000 in 2025 to more than 125,000 in 2035, while the number of people living with stroke is projected to rise from 1.4 million to around 2 million.
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Many people experience ongoing physical, cognitive, emotional and psychological effects after stroke. These can create continuing needs for rehabilitation, healthcare, community services, home care, residential care and support from families and friends.
As a result, the cost of supporting people living with stroke beyond the first year is substantially greater than the cost of acute and first-year care alone.
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The findings are relevant to policymakers, commissioners, health and care leaders, researchers, funders and voluntary-sector organisations working to improve stroke prevention, treatment, recovery and long-term support.
They provide an evidence base to support planning, resource allocation and policy development across the full stroke pathway.
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The report highlights the case for sustained, cross-sector action on stroke. Priorities include:
- Strengthening prevention and reducing stroke risk factors.
- Improving access to rapid diagnosis and specialist acute treatment.
- Investing in rehabilitation and integrated community stroke services.
- Supporting people to live well after stroke.
- Improving evidence on long-term outcomes and care needs.
- Recognising the interconnected roles of the NHS, social care, public services, families and communities.
