Autism statistics 2025

This page explores key trends and statistics in autism, including diagnosis rates, access to assessments, and the impact on healthcare and society.

It highlights challenges in getting timely support and the need for better services. The goal is to provide clear, reliable information to improve understanding and awareness.

Prevalence

• As of June 2024, a total of 193,203 patients in England had an open referral for suspected autism, meaning they were awaiting assessment or diagnosis through the NHS. [1]
• Autism is more commonly diagnosed in males. In the 2021 England study, boys had a prevalence rate of 2.8%. The same study reported a prevalence rate of 0.65% in girls [2]
• In the past five to ten years, autism diagnoses in the UK have increased significantly, with a 787% rise reported between 1998 and 2018. [3]
• A 2023 study estimated that between 150,000 and 500,000 individuals aged 20 to 49 in England may be autistic but undiagnosed. [4]

People seeking professional treatment 

• In 2023/24, the NHS allocated £125 million specifically for services benefiting people with learning disabilities and autistic individuals. [5]
• As of September 2024, over 204,000 people in England awaited an autism assessment, with 89% waiting over 13 weeks, a 25% rise in a year and 96% in two years. [6]
• Antipsychotics are prescribed to about 2.1% of autistic children and young people, with usage increasing with age: less than 0.5% in children under 10, 2.5% in those aged 10 to 17, and 5% in those aged 18 to 24. [7]
• Rates of co-occurring bipolar disorder in individuals with autism are reported at 7.8% in children and 15% in adults. [8]
• If a child has an autistic sibling, the chances of the next child being diagnosed with autism are about 20%, which is much higher than the general population rate of 1-2%. [9]

Occupation/workplace

• Approximately 85% of adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed, despite many possessing college degrees. [10]
• Employees with autism have a turnover rate of 7%, significantly lower than the national 15% rate in industries like software. [11]
• Studies have reported that autistic individuals can be 90% to 140% more productive when starting a new job, often outperforming employees. [12]
• Autistic individuals often face a substantial pay gap, earning on average a third less than non-disabled individuals. [13]
• Autistic adults without learning disabilities face poor outcomes and lack support. Doubling their employment rate could save £900 million to £1.5 billion annually. [13]

Autism and mental health

• 40-50% of individuals with autism also have an anxiety disorder, and this prevalence is rising as more autism diagnoses occur, increasing demand for autism-related mental health services. [14]
• Autistic individuals, especially those with co-occurring mental health conditions, are 9 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. [15]