Global prevalence of dietary iron deficiency (GBD 2021)

16.7%

percent of the world population, worldwide

“Despite global improvements, dietary iron deficiency remains a major health concern with a global prevalence of 16.7%, particularly affecting female individuals, children and residents in low-SDI countries.”

Lee et al. (GBD 2021 Dietary Iron Deficiency Collaborators), Global, regional and national burden of dietary iron deficiency from 1990 to 2021, Nat Med 2025, 2025-04-22

Kind of source

Peer-reviewed study

Read on

2026-11-06

Daily check

Quote found at the source on 2026-11-06

What to know

GBD's dietary iron deficiency counts iron deficiency with clinical manifestations such as anaemia. Age-standardized prevalence was 16,434.4 per 100,000. GBD reports no incidence for it.

About

Iron deficiency anaemia