John Elflein
Research expert covering health and health care
Anemia - Statistics & Facts
Anemia is a common blood disorder in which a person does not have enough red blood cells to effectively carry oxygen throughout the body. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, headache, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. There are many different types of anemia with the cause of the disorder depending on the type. The most common cause of anemia is iron-deficiency, but other types include vitamin B12-deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia, and sickle cell anemia. Although anemia is often caused by a deficiency in certain vitamins or minerals it may also be caused by chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease and cancer. Severe chronic anemia may lead to death through heart failure and organ damage, however in most cases the disorder is easily treated. Treatment depends on the type and cause of anemia, but may involve changing diet, taking vitamins and supplements, or treating the underlying condition causing the disorder.
How prevalent is anemia?
In 2021, it was estimated that around 24 percent of the population worldwide had anemia, a decrease from a prevalence of 28 percent in the year 1990. That means in 2021, around 1.92 billion people across the world had anemia. However, the majority of cases are mild, with less than one percent of people suffering from severe anemia. Anemia disproportionately affects women and children, with 31 percent of women worldwide thought to have the disorder in 2021, compared to about 18 percent of men. In 2019, it was estimated that around 269 million children aged 6 to 59 months had anemia. At that time the countries with the highest prevalence of anemia among children under five years were Yemen, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Children with anemia are at an increased risk of poor cognitive and motor development.Anemia during pregnancy
Iron-deficiency anemia is especially common during pregnancy as the body produces more blood and therefore requires more iron and other nutrients. This is one reason why women who are pregnant or trying to conceive are recommended to take prenatal supplements. Anemia during pregnancy may lead to preterm delivery, low birth weight, and impaired development for the infant. In 2019, it was estimated that around 36 percent of pregnant women worldwide had anemia. Africa was the region with the highest prevalence of anemia among pregnant women at that time, however, over the past couple of decades, every region of the world saw decreases in the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy. The countries with the highest rates of anemia among pregnant women are Mali, Benin, and Yemen, while the United States, Guatemala, and South Korea, have some of the lowest rates.
