Younger adults increasingly likely to access private healthcare

Younger adults aged 25–44 are now the most likely age group in the UK to use private healthcare, according to research from CIL Strategy Consultants.

CIL said its quarterly survey of around 2,000 UK adults found that 18% of 25–44-year-olds are more likely to use private healthcare this year, up from 16% last year, compared with 7% of those aged 55–65.

Among 25–44-year-olds who had used private healthcare in the previous six months at the point they were surveyed, 35% used employer-funded PMI – up from 30% in 2024. CIL said this indicates the majority in the age group are self-paying, despite increased use of employer-funded PMI.

The findings confirm trends identified in the Independent Healthcare Providers Network’s annual Going Private report, which found that almost half of adults aged between 30 and 44 expecting to use private healthcare in the next year.

CIL also reported a 44% rise in the proportion of consumers considering using private providers for diagnostics in 2025 compared with 2024. It said demand for private primary care is also increasing, with use of private GPs and health assessments up 24% over the past year.

Craig Abrahams, director at CIL, said the research captured a broader picture of private healthcare use than datasets focused on surgery and insurer-funded care.

‘We know from our wider research that younger people rely less on the NHS and don’t necessarily see it as the default option for accessing care,’ he said.

Abrahams added that some providers are targeting the 25–44 age group with ‘lower acuity services’ including diagnostics and physiotherapy, convenient opening times and city-centre locations.

‘There has been an expansion of subscription-based private GP and imaging services – less Harley Street, more high street – making what used to be a premium primary care offer affordable and accessible to many more patients.

‘The large private hospitals and insurers also need to think about how they can tap into this trend and develop more creative offers to target customers of tomorrow who are comfortable with the idea of paying for quality and convenient healthcare services,’ he added.