Nearly a fifth of UK adults are self-reporting a long-term musculoskeletal (MSK) condition, a slight increase over 2022, according to the latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
The proportion of adults aged 16 and over reporting MSK conditions increased by almost one percentage point from 17.6% in 2022 to 18.4% in 2023. But that was slightly lower than the rate in 2019, when it was 18.8%.
MSK conditions are the leading cause of pain and disability in England and account for one of the highest causes of sickness absence and productivity loss, according to the ONS.
In 2023, the prevalence of self-reported MSK conditions remained lower in males (15.8%) than in females (20.9%).
The overall rise in MSK conditions is contributing towards a post-pandemic surge in the number of economically inactive people due to long-term sickness and highlights the impact that new working habits and mounting pressures on the NHS are having on the country.
Brett Hill, head of health and protection at leading independent consultancy Broadstone, said: “Musculoskeletal conditions are a significant driver of disability and pain in England as well as representing one of the main causes of workplace absence.
“Amid a growing health crisis, it is little surprise to see the prevalence of MSK conditions rise but it is startling to see that around one in five adults over the age of 16 are struggling with long-term MSK health issues.
“Changing employment habits with the growth in working from home may be behind that uptick.
“For employers, it is yet another health statistic that emphasises the urgency of supporting the welfare of their colleagues as NHS waiting lists continue to rise. We are seeing growing demand for occupational health services to help keep staff fit and health in the workplace as well as other private healthcare options like health cash plan and private medical insurance products.
“Rising economic inactivity because of chronic illnesses is dampening productivity and harming business output. As the NHS battles to make a dent in its backlog, employers are beginning to take the fight to sickness and injury – we should encourage and support them where possible.”
