Abstract: Objective To compare hospitalization costs among mental illness patients of different age.Methods With retrospective study method,hospitalization records of 9 841 patients with mental illness from 2005 to 2012 were collected and analyzed.Results The average hospitalization day of young patients was the longest(51 days)and that of the elderly patients was the shortest(39 days).Average per capita and daily hospitalization expenses of the mental illness patients showed an increasing trend during the period.In 2012,the average daily hospitalization expenses were 263.33,236.63,and 241.13 RMB yuan and the average per capita hospitalization expenses were 12 779,10 996,and 9 233 RMB yuan for the young(≤44 years old),middle-aged(45- 59 years),and elderly patients(≥60 years),respectively.In 2009,the annual growth rate of per capita hospitalization costs were 25.41%,41.89%,and 63.38%for the young,middle-aged,and elderly patients,respectively.The cost for drug,diagnosis and treatment,and bedding were the main components of hospitalization expenses for the patients.The drug cost showed a declining trend from 2009 to 2012.Duration of hospitalization was the main factor affecting hospitalization cost of the patients under the age of 60 years;whereas the times of hospitalization was the main influencing factor of hospitalization cost for the elderly patients.Conclusion The hospitalization costs of young,middle-aged and elderly mental illness patients were generally high.Increasing economic compensation for mental disease patients of different age and reducing the economic burden of the patients should be concerned.