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Anaemia in women and children

WHO Global Anaemia estimates, 2021 Edition

Global anaemia estimates in women of reproductive age, by pregnancy status, and in children aged 6-59 months

 

Anaemia is associated with poor cognitive and motor development in children, and work capacity in adults, influencing country economic development.

 

Among pregnant women, iron deficiency anaemia is also associated with adverse reproductive outcomes such as preterm delivery, low-birth-weight infants, and decreased iron stores for the baby, which may lead to impaired development.


Failure to reduce anaemia may result in millions of women experiencing impaired health and quality of life, and may impair children’s development and learning. Anaemia is an indicator of both poor nutrition and poor health.

Summary findings

Prevalence of anaemia in women
29.9%
of women aged 15-49 years suffered from anaemia in 2019
Prevalence of anaemia in children
39.8%
of children aged 6-59 months years suffered from anaemia in 2019
Prevalence of anaemia in children
60.2%
of children 6-59 months in the African region were affected by anaemia in 2019
  • In 2019, global anaemia prevalence was 29.9% (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 27.0%, 32.8%) in women of reproductive age, equivalent to over half a billion women aged 15-49 years. Prevalence was 29.6% (95% UI 26.6%, 32.5%) in non-pregnant women of reproductive age, and 36.5% (95% UI 34.0%, 39.1%) in pregnant women.
  • Since 2000, the global prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age has been stagnant, while the prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women has decreased slightly.
  • In 2019, global anaemia prevalence was 39.8% (95% UI 36.0%, 43.8%) in children aged 6-59 months, equivalent to 269 million children with anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia in children under five was highest in the African Region, 60.2% (95% UI 56.6%, 63.7%).
  • Since 2000, the global prevalence of anaemia in children under five has slowly decreased over the years, from 48.0% (95% UI 45.1%, 51.0%) to 39.8% (95% UI 36%, 43.8%), and from 2010, it has been stagnant.

Prevalence of anaemia in women and children, by population, country and WHO region

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GHO GR NUTRITION_ANAEMIA Anaemia in children under 5 years, women of reproductive age, non-pregnant and pregnant women prevalence (%) SCATTER

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Number of women and children with anaemia (in thousands) by population, and WHO region

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GHO GR NUTRITION_ANAEMIA Anaemia in children under 5 years, women of reproductive age, non-pregnant and pregnant women (in thousands) REGIONAL AVERAGE TREEMAP TEMPLATE

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