Global anaemia prevalence and number of individuals affected
Globally, anaemia affects 1.62 billion people (95% CI: 1.50–1.74 billion), which corresponds to 24.8% of the population (95% CI: 22.9–26.7%). The highest prevalence is in preschool-age children (47.4%, 95% CI: 45.7–49.1), and the lowest prevalence is in men (12.7%, 95% CI: 8.6–16.9%). However, the population group with the greatest number of individuals affected is non-pregnant women (468.4 million, 95% CI: 446.2–490.6).
| Population group | Prevalence of anaemia |
Population affected |
||
| Percent | 95% CI | Number (millions) |
95% CI | |
| Preschool-age children | 47.4 | 45.7-49.1 | 293 | 283-303 |
| School-age children | 25.4 | 19.9-30.9 | 305 | 238-371 |
| Pregnant women | 41.8 | 39.9-43.8 | 56 | 54-59 |
| Non-pregnant women | 30.2 | 28.7-31.6 | 468 | 446-491 |
| Men | 12.7 | 8.6-16.9 | 260 | 175-345 |
| Elderly | 23.9 | 18.3-29.4 | 164 | 126-202 |
| Total population | 24.8 | 22.9-26.7 | 1620 | 1500-1740 |
Source
de Benoist B et al., eds. Worldwide prevalence of anaemia 1993-2005. WHO Global Database on Anaemia Geneva, World Health Organization, 2008.