Chronic illnesses surge earlier, widening health gaps between rich and poor

Chronic illnesses are striking earlier in life and becoming more severe, placing greater pressure on healthcare systems. New data reveals a sharp rise in long-term health conditions, particularly among younger adults and those facing financial hardship.

The gap between rich and poor has also widened, with those in economic distress now far more likely to suffer from multiple chronic diseases than in previous years. Between 2017 and 2025, the overall rate of chronic disease climbed from 28% to 36%. Even more striking, the number of people living with two or more long-term conditions—known as multimorbidity—jumped by 10 percentage points, reaching 19%. This surge is largely driven by worsening health within age groups rather than an ageing population, with 71% of the increase attributed to this factor.

Younger adults have not been spared. Both the 15–29 and 45–64 age groups saw an eight-percentage-point rise in chronic illness. Meanwhile, the link between financial hardship and poor health has strengthened. In 2017, 26% of those in economic distress had a chronic condition; by 2025, that figure had nearly doubled to 49%. This group now faces a 23.5-percentage-point higher risk of chronic illness compared to those better off.

The disparity in multimorbidity has also deepened. In 2017, the difference between socioeconomic groups stood at four percentage points. By 2025, it had ballooned to 27 points. As a result, patients now present with more complex health needs, requiring continuous, coordinated care rather than isolated treatments.

Experts stress the need for stronger public policies to tackle these challenges. Priorities include better prevention, integrated disease management, and removing barriers to healthcare access. Without action, the divide in health outcomes is expected to grow even wider. The rise in chronic illness and multimorbidity is reshaping healthcare demands, with more people needing long-term, joined-up support. Those in financial difficulty remain the hardest hit, facing nearly double the risk of poor health compared to wealthier groups. Addressing these trends will require targeted policies and a shift toward more patient-centred, preventative care.