Whether you’re newly ADHD-aware, supporting someone with ADHD, or just trying to understand your own brain better — sometimes the numbers help.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the ADHD stats out there, but it is a selected snapshot. One that highlights the realities behind living and working with ADHD, especially for women and business owners.
Feel free to dip in and out, save it, come back later — this resource is here to inform and support you.
General ADHD Stats (UK)
Estimated adult prevalence:
ADHD is thought to affect around 3‑4 % of UK adults.
Source summary: This comes from the NHS England Programme Update, using multiple datasets and noting that true figures are likely under‑reported.
📎 NHS England – ADHD Programme Update
Diagnosis gap / undiagnosed adults:
Only about 0.32 % of people in a large GP‑records study carried a formal ADHD diagnosis — about 1 in 9 of the likely true number.
Source summary: From ADHD UK; the study used 9 million+ GP records and highlights massive under‑diagnosis.
📎 ADHD UK – Diagnosis Rate UK
Estimate of total ADHD population in England (including undiagnosed):
Around 2.5 million people in England may have ADHD, including children and adults.
Source summary: From NHS Digital data showing the breadth of unmet need and the large number of people waiting for assessment.
📎 NHS Digital – ADHD Management Information, May 2025
ADHD in Women
Delayed diagnosis / presentation differences:
While some sources cite an average diagnosis age of 28, many women receive their diagnosis much later — in their 30s or 40s and later — often following assessment of children.
Source summary: The Brain Charity article talks through how ADHD often looks different in women and why it gets missed.
📎 The Brain Charity – Neurodivergent Women & ADHD
Comorbid conditions for women with ADHD:
Women with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation, which may overshadow or mask ADHD.
Source summary: The ADHD Centre article outlines common comorbidities and how they complicate diagnosis.
📎 ADHD Centre – What is ADHD Comorbid With?
Different symptom presentation in women:
Women are more likely to present with inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactive ones, leading to misdiagnosis or late recognition.
Source summary: The ADDitude Magazine article details how women’s ADHD is often misunderstood and overlooked.
📎 ADDitude – ADHD in Women: Misunderstood Symptoms & Treatment
Hormonal cycles and symptom impact:
Hormonal fluctuations (menstruation, perimenopause, menopause) can worsen ADHD symptoms, affecting focus, memory and mood.
Source summary: The At Health library article explores the intersection of female hormones and ADHD.
📎 At Health – Understanding Female Hormones & ADHD
ADHD & Entrepreneurship
Neurodivergence among the self‑employed:
About 18 % of self‑employed UK workers say they are neurodivergent; a disproportionate number of those are ADHD.
Source summary: The IPSE Confidence Index survey shows self‑employed people are slightly more likely to identify as neurodivergent than the general population.
📎 IPSE – Neurodiversity & Self‑Employment
Higher prevalence of ADHD traits in entrepreneurs:
Some estimates suggest up to 20‑35 % of solo self-employed people/freelancers exhibit neurodivergent traits.
Source summary: The Adjust Services blog cites research that 20‑35 % of freelancers/solo‑self‑employed people may be neurodivergent, which may correlate with ADHD traits.
📎 Adjust Services – Neurodiversity & Freelancing
General population neurodivergence estimate:
Around 15–20 % of UK adults are estimated to be neurodivergent.
Source summary: The NHS Employers and other sources note that one in seven people (≈ 14 %) identify as neurodivergent, rising to figures near 15–20 % when broader definitions are used. I
📎 NHS Employers – Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Mental Health & ADHD
Overlap with mental health conditions:
Adults with ADHD often experience anxiety and depression alongside or because of ADHD — making diagnosis and support more complex.
Source summary: The ADHD Centre and other scholarly articles highlight how emotional dysregulation, low self‑esteem and comorbidity are common in adults with ADHD.
📎 ADHD Centre – ADHD Comorbidities Explained
Social & Cultural Trends
Growing ADHD awareness & diagnosis:
Research shows ADHD diagnoses in adults are increasing significantly — including a 20‑fold rise in some age groups between 2000 and 2018.
Source summary: The University College London (UCL) study documented a dramatic rise in diagnoses and ADHD prescriptions — especially among young adults.
📎 UCL – Significant Rise in ADHD Diagnoses UK
Rise in neurodiversity‑related job postings:
From January 2018 to December 2024, UK job postings mentioning neurodiversity keywords rose from approx. 1 % to 3.8 % of all postings.
Source summary: The findings from a job‑market study show growing employer awareness of neurodiversity — though the real question is how many roles are truly inclusive.
📎 Hiring Lab – Neurodiversity Inclusive Postings Rising UK