Epilepsy: Epidemiology Report and Forecast to 2035

Epilepsy is a neurological condition defined by repeated, unpredictable seizures resulting from abrupt, chaotic, and intense electrical activity among brain cells (World Health Organization, 2024a). Globally, it ranks as one of the most widespread neurological disorders (World Health Organization, 2024a). This chronic condition can develop at any point in a person's life. A diagnosis typically occurs after an individual experiences at least one seizure and sees a specialist, who evaluates detailed accounts of both the pre-seizure warning signs and the event itself (Fisher et al., 2014; NHS, 2025). While the condition was traditionally identified by two or more unprovoked seizures occurring at least 24 hours apart, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) updated this definition in 2014; it now encompasses individuals with just one unprovoked seizure if their likelihood of recurrence is 60% or greater (Fisher et al., 2014). Furthermore, the 2014 guidelines introduced criteria for a resolved diagnosis, which applies if a patient outgrows an age-specific epilepsy syndrome or remains free of seizures for a decade, provided they have not taken anti-seizure medication for the final five years (Fisher et al., 2014).

Additional diagnostic instruments include an electroencephalogram (EEG) to monitor abnormal electrical patterns in the brain and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to identify potential structural abnormalities (NHS, 2025). Despite the lack of a permanent cure, most individuals can effectively eliminate or decrease their seizure frequency by using anti-epileptic drug (AED) therapies (Epilepsy Action, 2026). Nevertheless, a segment of the patient population continues to experience seizures despite taking AED medications. This specific presentation of the condition is classified as drug-resistant or refractory epilepsy (Epilepsy Action, 2026).

For nearly 50% of diagnosed individuals, the underlying cause of the disorder remains completely unknown or idiopathic. For the remaining patients, the development of the condition has a variety of intricate and deeply hidden origins (Mayo Clinic, 2025; Epilepsy Society, 2026). Data shows that stroke serves as the primary catalyst for new-onset epilepsy among adults older than age 35 years (Mayo Clinic, 2025).

In the 7MM, the active diagnosed prevalent cases of epilepsy will increase from 6,202,907 cases in 2025 to 6,507,453 cases in 2035, at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 0.49% per year. In the five major European markets (5EU: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK), the active diagnosed prevalent cases of epilepsy will increase from 2,263,652 cases in 2025 to 2,383,522 cases in 2035, at an AGR of 0.53%. When examining the AGR by individual market, GlobalData forecasts that all markets except Japan will see an increase in the active diagnosed prevalent cases of epilepsy during the forecast period. Among the 7MM, the US had the highest number of active diagnosed prevalent cases of epilepsy in 2025 and 2035, at 3,121,302 cases and 3,306,827 cases, respectively. However, the UK will have the highest growth in the 7MM, at an AGR of 0. 84%.

Scope

• This report provides an overview of the risk factors and the global and historical trends for epilepsy in the seven major markets (7MM: US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and Japan). It also includes a 10-year epidemiology forecast of the active diagnosed prevalent cases of epilepsy in these markets from 2025-35.
• The active diagnosed prevalent cases are further segmented by sex and age (ranging from age 18 years to ages 85 years and older).
• The active diagnosed prevalent cases are further segmented by seizure type (generalized, focal, unclassified/unknown). This report also provides the diagnosed prevalent cases of epilepsy by type (Dravet syndrome [DS] and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome [LGS]) for both sexes, ages 18 years and older.

Reasons to Buy

The Epilepsy epidemiology series will allow you to:

• Develop business strategies by understanding the trends shaping and driving the global epilepsy market.
• Quantify patient populations in the global epilepsy market to improve product design, pricing, and launch plans.
• Organize sales and marketing efforts by identifying the age groups that present the best opportunities for epilepsy therapeutics in each of the markets covered.