The State of Musculoskeletal Health

The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2025

Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions in numbers.

Examine the report's key findings, including:

  • how many people have musculoskeletal conditions
  • the number of people at risk of developing these conditions
  • the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on people
  • health systems and society
  • the inequalities that can be found within all the topics above.

 

 

 

Download the report Download the report (Welsh) Download the summary (English and Welsh)

Download our infographics

 

The State of Musculoskeletal Health is Arthritis UK's collection of the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. 

It is a resource for healthcare professionals, policy makers, public heath leads, researchers, people with these conditions, and anyone interested in MSK health. We believe that with the best information you can build awareness, make more informed decisions, feel more confident and ultimately help more people with MSK conditions, such as arthritis.

The impact of arthritis

Over 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK live with arthritis. That’s one in six people living with the pain, fatigue, disability, mental and financial strain it can cause. The impact can be huge, affecting the ability to work, care for family, and even live independently.

Yet, despite how many it affects, arthritis is poorly understood and far too little is done. At Arthritis UK, we fund life-changing research into better treatments, offer information and support, and campaign on the issues that matter most to people living with it.

Methods

Data, information, and insights about MSK conditions such as arthritis are available from numerous sources. At Arthritis UK, we judge all evidence based on individual merit and ‘good evidence’ is evidence that accurately represents the needs, experiences, and perspectives of people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

How to use the report

The report is a resource for healthcare professionals, policy makers, public health leads, people with these conditions, and anyone interested in MSK health. We believe that with the best information you can build awareness, make more informed decisions, feel more confident and ultimately help more people with MSK conditions, such as arthritis.

Reading the report

We are working hard to make our information accessible to all. If you have any issues reading or accessing this document, please do let us know by emailing creative@arthritis-uk.org and we will aim to correct it in the next edition.

If you would like to have access to previous versions of the State of Musculoskeletal Health, or if you have any questions, please do get in touch with us by sending an email to data@arthritis-uk.org

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