Mental illness costs UK £94bn a year, OECD report says

Half of costs to British economy related to lower employment and productivity

Mental ill-health is costing the UK more than 94bn every year, counting treatment, social support costs and the losses to the economy from people who cannot work, according to the OECD.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's report shows the whole of Europe is struggling with the burden of mental ill-health, which affects an estimated 84 million people - one in six. The cost to the UK economy is in line with the average for Europe at 4% of GDP. Nearly half the UK costs (42bn) are indirect costs related to lower employment and productivity.