Estimates by the IHME Brain Health Atlas (undated) indicate that USD 1.1 billion was spent globally treating brain diseases in 2019. The global cost of brain diseases rose by just over 5% annually during the period 2000-2019. During the same period, the annual average growth rate in the global population was around 1.10-1.30% (United Nations, 2022).
In 2010 and 2012, neurological and mental disorders in Europe led to annual costs of approximately EUR 800 billion (Boon et al., 2023; Gustavsson et al., 2011; Olesen et al., 2011). Medical costs, including medications and hospital costs, accounted for 37% of the expenditure, while 23% was spent on non-medical costs, such as nursing and care. A total of 40% consisted of indirect costs as a result of loss of work capacity, for example.
In Germany, brain diseases entail costs of more than EUR 60 billion annually for the health system. This corresponds to almost 20% of all national spending on health (German Brain Council, 2022).
A cohort study by Fuglsang et al. (2025) found that the total direct costs associated with individuals with brain diseases amounted to EUR 7.5 billion in both 2015 and 2021, while the total indirect costs rose from EUR 17.7 billion in 2015 to EUR 23.2 billion in 2021. Brain diseases are probably the greatest economic burden for the European healthcare system, both now and in the future (Gustavsson et al., 2011; Olesen et al., 2011).
In Norway, brain diseases account for six of the ten diagnoses associated with the highest health costs (Kinge et al., 2023). Collectively, mental and drug-related disorders and neurological diseases are the two largest expense items. Mental and drug-related disorders accounted for almost 21% of Norwegian health expenditure in 2019, with costs of NOK 65 billion. In the 15-49 age group, almost half of all health expenses were linked to mental disorders and drug use. Neurological diseases accounted for just over 15% of health expenses, with costs of over NOK 48 billion. Neurological diseases represent the largest spending category among people over the age of 70 (Kinge et. al, 2023).
In 2010, the cost of brain diseases in Norway was approximately NOK 100 billion per year (Norwegian Brain Council, 2021, p.15). However, it is believed that current costs as a result of brain diseases are even higher, based on recent international calculations. According to a study by Kinge et al. (2025) on health expenditure in Norway from 2022 to 2050, costs attributable to neurological disorders are expected to rise by more than any other health expenditure. Expenses for mental disorders and substance abuse disorders are also expected to rise.