Schizophrenia has been estimated by The World Health Organization (WHO) to be one of the 10th most disabling medical conditions worldwide. The lifetime prevalence of the condition globally has been estimated to be between 0.4-1.4%. Furthermore, the incidence  of schizophrenia is approximately 15 per 100,000 people a year. Schizophrenia has a relatively low incidence, however it has an increased prevalence; this signifies the chronicity associated with schizophrenia.
 

In England, there are approximately 400,000 people affected by schizophrenia and the national annual incidence is approximately 10,000.

Age and Gender Effects
• The prevalence rates for schizophrenia

are roughly the same for men and

women (see Figure 1)
• The common age of onset of the

condition is 18 years for men and 25

years in women.

• Schizophrenia is commonly

diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35 

• Women in their mid forties have a

greater risk of developing

schizophrenia.
• Men are at an increased risk of

experiencing negative symptoms than women.

• The clinical manifestations in women are not as severe as in men. 



Global Effects

• Epidemiological studies carried out by WHO have found that the prevalence and incidence of schizophrenia is similar between countries. 
• There is a greater incidence of schizophrenia among urban populations and immigrants.
• Immigrants appear to have 4.6 times the likelihood of being diagnosed with schizophrenia than a native population.
• Individuals living in an urban area have twice the risk of developing schizophrenia compared to those living in an urban-rural area.
• Amongst African-Caribbean and ethnic minority groups, there is seen to be a greater incidence of schizophrenia. 

​

​
Mortality
• Individuals with schizophrenia have a 50 per cent greater mortality risk than the rest of the population, with the main cause as suicide.
• It is estimated that 10% of those diagnosed with schizophrenia will commit suicide, which may be a result of the side effects of antipsychotic drugs or medical co-morbidities.