We’ve looked into the latest health insurance statistics in the UK, such as how health insurance costs have increased over time, how they fare compared to the most popular insurances and why health insurance might be worth looking further into.
Health insurance statistics UK: Highlights
6.2 million people (12%) had private health insurance in the UK in 2023.
A typical health insurance premium for a family of 2 adults and 2 children is between £700 and £1,800 per year.
Nearly 3 in 5 (57%) people chose private healthcare so they could be seen more quickly.
A quarter (25%) of people accessing private healthcare do so through a healthcare scheme at work.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of people paying for private healthcare dip into their savings to do so.
Nearly 1 in 10 (8%) of people who access private healthcare borrow money to cover the costs.
How many people have health insurance?
6.2 million people in the UK had private health insurance in 2023, which is around 12% of the population. This has increased from 5.8 million people in 2022 and 5.4 million people in 2021.
4.7 million people had private health insurance through their employer in 2023, while 1.5 million people paid for private health insurance with an individual policy.
A typical health insurance premium for a family of 2 adults and 2 children is between £700 and £1,800 per year. The exact price of health insurance varies depending on age, location and whether or not you smoke, among other factors.
Why do people choose private health care?
A 2023 poll of UK adults who chose private healthcare found that 2 in 5 (41%) did this so they could be seen more quickly. 1 in 5 Brits (20%) paid for private healthcare to access a treatment or procedure not available on the NHS and a similar number (19%) believed that private healthcare would provide a better quality of care than the NHS.
Interestingly, 1 in 10 (10%) Brits who paid for private healthcare said they did it to help take pressure off the NHS.
So I could be seen more quickly / avoid waiting times
41%
To access care not available on the NHS
20%
To access a better quality of care
19%
To get more flexibility and choice
17%
I have private medical insurance
16%
Unsatisfactory experience with the NHS
11%
To help take pressure off the NHS
10%
Prefer the whole experience of private healthcare
10%
What do people use private healthcare for?
Nearly half (48%) of people who chose private healthcare used it for non-emergency appointments. Around 1 in 5 people (20%) use private healthcare for routine appointments, whilst 17% of people use private healthcare for a minor illness or injury.
Interestingly, only 1 in 10 (10%) of those who use private healthcare do so for emergency appointments.
Around 29% of people pay for private healthcare using their disposable income, whilst almost a quarter (24%) use their savings. Meanwhile, a quarter (25%) of people accessing private healthcare do so through a healthcare scheme at work. Nearly 1 in 6 (14%) people pay for private health insurance for themselves.
Nearly 1 in 10 (8%) of people who access private healthcare borrow money to cover the costs, with some asking family or friends for money (6%), whilst others take out a loan (2%).
Sophie Barber is a content marketing manager for Finder in the UK. She has over 5 years experience in writing and publishing clear, concise and informative articles that help consumers make informed decisions. See full bio
Sophie's expertise
Sophie has written 87 Finder guides across topics including:
Find out if optical insurance is right for you and how it could save you money.
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We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
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