Searches for Private Healthcare surge by up to 623% in UK

In December 2024, there were 168,680 more searches for private healthcare keywords than in January 2021, which equated to a rise of 86.61%

Analysis of Google search data for ‘Private Healthcare’ and 416 connected key terms such as ‘Private Health Insurance’ and ‘Private Medical Insurance’ has revealed a dramatic rise from 2021 to 2024.

E M S Lifts compared the monthly search results in January 2021 to the most recent search data from December 2024 to see how much interest in private healthcare may have changed since the 2020 Covid lockdowns.

They found that in December 2024, there were 168,680 more searches for private healthcare keywords than in January 2021, which equated to a rise of 86.61%.

Scotland saw the highest percentage rise of the U.K. nations, with a 303.87% spike in searches from 13,430 to 54,240.

The only individual country to show a decline in searches was Northern Ireland which saw numbers fall by -16.20% overall.

The analysis covered more detail for individual areas across the U.K. including those with the highest amount of searches and the biggest changes.

Cardiff had the highest percentage increase nationally, with interest in the topic raising by 623.08% from just 390 searches in January 2021 to 2,820 in December 2024. This was followed by Wrexham with 310.53% and Luton close behind that with 310.14%

Birmingham, which came 4th overall for percentage change with a 299.02% increase, took the top spot for the highest amount of searches in December last year, with 16,280 searches that month. Despite seeing the largest percentage rise, Cardiff placed 12th overall for the number of searches.

Greg Muir of E M S Lifts - gave his thoughts on the results of analysis:

“The NHS is faced with incredible pressure, with staffing shortages and waiting lists for even essential services meaning people are faced with the choice of dealing with conditions until they can get treatment, or looking for another option.

“While there is a lot of debate on the effect that private healthcare can have on the National Health Service, in terms of use of facilities and availability of specialists, the reality is that these increases shouldn’t be surprising.

“When people are dealing with conditions that have significant impact on their lives, it’s natural they’re going to explore their options, and if they can afford another path, it’s understandable that they’re going to explore that.”