This study examines the financial costs of antisocial behavior in childhood, comparing the public service costs incurred by individuals with three levels of antisocial behavior (no problems, conduct problems, and conduct disorder) into adulthood. The research is based on data from the Inner London Longitudinal Study, which followed 142 children from age 10 to 28. The main outcome measures were the costs of public services used beyond basic universal provision, adjusted for 1998 prices. Key findings include: - Individuals with conduct disorder had costs 10 times higher than those with no problems and 3.5 times higher than those with conduct problems by age 28. - The total mean individual costs were £70,019 for conduct disorder, £24,324 for conduct problems, and £7,425 for no problems. - Crime was the most costly domain, followed by extra educational provision, foster and residential care, and state benefits. - Parental social class had a small effect on antisocial behavior, while being male, having a low reading age, and attending more than two primary schools contributed to higher costs. - Conduct disorder predicted the highest costs, even after controlling for personal characteristics and educational variables. The study concludes that antisocial behavior in childhood is a significant predictor of future societal costs, emphasizing the need for early and effective interventions to reduce these costs.This study examines the financial costs of antisocial behavior in childhood, comparing the public service costs incurred by individuals with three levels of antisocial behavior (no problems, conduct problems, and conduct disorder) into adulthood. The research is based on data from the Inner London Longitudinal Study, which followed 142 children from age 10 to 28. The main outcome measures were the costs of public services used beyond basic universal provision, adjusted for 1998 prices. Key findings include: - Individuals with conduct disorder had costs 10 times higher than those with no problems and 3.5 times higher than those with conduct problems by age 28. - The total mean individual costs were £70,019 for conduct disorder, £24,324 for conduct problems, and £7,425 for no problems. - Crime was the most costly domain, followed by extra educational provision, foster and residential care, and state benefits. - Parental social class had a small effect on antisocial behavior, while being male, having a low reading age, and attending more than two primary schools contributed to higher costs. - Conduct disorder predicted the highest costs, even after controlling for personal characteristics and educational variables. The study concludes that antisocial behavior in childhood is a significant predictor of future societal costs, emphasizing the need for early and effective interventions to reduce these costs.