U.K. Mental Health Apps Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Platform (Android, iOS), By Application (Depression & Anxiety Management, Meditation Management, Stress Management, Wellness Management), And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Market Size & Trends

The U.K. mental health apps market size was estimated at USD 197.77 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.8% from 2023 to 2030. One of the primary drivers propelling market growth is the increasing utilization of mental health apps, attributed to their ability to enhance treatment outcomes and lifestyles as well as the rising awareness of mental health as a significant medical concern which is further contributing to the overall market expansion. In addition, the surge in mental health disorders contributes to the growing usage of mental health applications. For instance, in 2022, as per the Mental Health Foundation report, in the UK, over 15 million individuals live with one or more chronic conditions, and more than 4 million of them are grappling with mental health issues.

As per the mental health statistics report published in 2022 in the UK, more than 8 million people are currently experiencing anxiety disorder. Thus, the increased prevalence of depressive disorders is driving a heightened demand for mental health apps, which is anticipated to contribute to market growth during the projected period.

Growing demand for improving lifestyles and increased urbanization in the UK have enhanced the market rate of mental health apps. For instance, in 2021 as per OECD, 75% of people between the ages of 15 and 64 have paid jobs as well as 81% of adults between the ages of 25 and 64 have successfully finished their upper secondary education in the UK. Thus, with the rapidly changing lifestyle particularly in terms of increase in education, people are becoming more conscious of their health, thereby contributing to the overall market growth.

Growing smartphone penetration and improving internet coverage are directly contributing to the adoption of mental health solutions. As per the statistics report, in 2023, approximately 83% of UK adults have smartphones and there are 66.11 million internet users across the UK accounting for around 98% of the total UK population. Hence, the growing adoption of smartphones, and the internet, has further contributed to propelling the market growth during the forecast period.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the utilization of mental health apps across the globe as well as in the UK. Lockdowns in several regions and increasing loneliness and imbalance in the work and professional life, leading to burnouts during the pandemic, increased the adoption of mental health apps. This can also be justified by the increasing number of downloads of mental health apps during this period. For instance, in 2020, mental health apps were downloaded more than 1 million times in the UK during the implementation of lockdown restrictions. Downloads increased by one-third, from 489,100 to 637,100, among the top 15 most downloaded apps, that exceeds 700,000.

Platform Insights

Based on platform type, iOS dominated the market with a revenue share of 49.5% in 2022. The iOS segment growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of iOS among consumers. iOS is renowned for its strong security and privacy features, since mental health apps deal with sensitive user data, making it a reliable choice for users. According to the data published by Business of Apps in 2021, the market share of iOS in the U.K. increased from 47% in Q3 of 2020 to 50.79% in 2023. Hence, such instances demonstrate the growth of the segment in the coming years.

The Android segment is expected to show lucrative growth with a CAGR of 19.2% over the forecast period. Major factors contributing to the segment growth include the rising usage rate of Android-based smartphones and the cost-effective nature of Android-based smartphones. Furthermore, Android has a more extensive user base globally compared to iOS. For instance, as per Statista report, in 2023, Android users commanded a substantial market share of 49% in the UK. This diversity allows mental health app developers to reach a broader and more varied audience, making it an attractive platform for expanding their user base.

Application Insights

Based on application, the depression and anxiety management segment dominated the market with a revenue share of around 29.8% in 2022. The increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders and growing awareness regarding mental health apps for the treatment of these conditions are some of the major factors supporting the segment's growth. For instance, as per the Statistics report in the UK in 2023 depression stands as one of the most widespread mental health conditions, impacting approximately 1 in 6 adults in the UK.

The stress management segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 21.2% during the forecast period.The rising prevalence of stress and related disorders and the increasing adoption of applications that are beneficial in stress reduction and management are the pioneering factors fueling the growth of the segment during the forecast period. Furthermore, mental health apps provide self-assessment tools that help users track their stress over time, thereby making it reliable to use during stress management.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players are undertaking various strategic initiatives to increase their share in the market. New product development, collaborations, and partnerships are some such endeavors. For instance, ShinyMind launched a mental health and wellbeing app in November 2022, for nursing and midwifery staff across England, with an aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of nurses. Some prominent players in the U.K. mental health apps market include:

• Mindscape

• Calm

• Headspace, Inc

• MoodMission Pty Ltd.

• Sanvello Health

• Youper, Inc

U.K. Mental Health Apps Market Report Scope

U.K. Mental Health Apps Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this report, Grand View Research has segmented the U.K. mental health apps market report based on platform and application:

• Platform Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Android

  • iOS

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Depression and Anxiety Management

  • Meditation Management

  • Stress Management

  • Wellness Management

  • Others