Facts & Figures – 2025

Why it matters

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a looming mental health crisis, describing a 25% global increase in anxiety and depression in the first year of the pandemic. Access to the outdoors is a vital protective factor for children’s physical and mental health.

Young People & Mental Health (England)

  • 1 in 5 children and young people (20% of 8–25s) had a probable mental health disorder in 2023.

  • Half of lifetime mental health problems begin by age 14; around  75% by age 24.

  • Around 75% of people with mental health problems in England do not get the treatment they need.

Outdoor Time

  • A 2016 UK survey found that three-quarters of children spent less time outdoors than prison inmates, who are guaranteed one hour of outside time daily. (Survey insight, not national stats.)

  • Natural England’s Natural Connections project found 92% of teachers reported pupils were more engaged outdoors, and 85% saw improved behaviour.

  • Time in nature is linked with better mood, reduced stress and anger, improved sleep, and increased social interaction. (Mind, Natural England, NHS)

Child Poverty (UK)

  • In 2023/24, 4.5 million children were living in poverty after housing costs — that’s 31% of all children, or roughly 9 in every class of 30.

  • 7 in 10 children in poverty live in a working household.

  • Poverty rates are much higher among Black and Asian families (around 49%) compared with white families (24%).

Why Get Kids Outside?

  • Improved learning: Better concentration, engagement, and behaviour in class.

  • Health benefits: Reduced stress, improved sleep, greater physical fitness.

  • Social & emotional skills: Stronger teamwork, empathy, and resilience.

  • Wellbeing: Spending time outdoors supports short- and long-term mental health.

Source list & References

WHO: COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide (2022): https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide

NHS Digital – Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2023

Kessler et al., 2005 – Age of onset of mental disorders: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15939837/

Mental Health Foundation – Treatment gap in England: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-uk-and-worldwide

The Guardian: Children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates, survey finds (2016): https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/25/children-spend-less-time-outdoors-than-prison-inmates-survey

Natural England – Natural Connections Demonstration Project, 2016: https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6636651036540928

Mind – Nature and mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/

Natural England – People & Nature Survey: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/people-and-nature-survey-for-england

NHS – Walking for health: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/

House of Commons Library – Poverty in the UK: Statistics (2025): https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN07096/SN07096.pdf

Child Poverty Action Group – Child poverty facts and figures: https://cpag.org.uk/child-poverty/child-poverty-facts-and-figures