How Many People Have Autism

Global Autism Statistics

What Percentage of the World Has Autism?

• In a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 2008 – 2021, the global prevalence of Autism was found to be  approximately 0.6%.
• In 2021, the global prevalence of autism was 1 in 127 people which translated to approximately 61·8 million individuals and the global age-standardised prevalence was 788·3 per 100,000 people.

What Percentage of Children Have Autism?

• Globally, the prevalence of autism is estimated to be around 1 in 100 children. This accounts for about 61.8 million million people worldwide and approximately 1% of the world’s population. However, this figure can vary significantly across different studies and regions.

Regions and Countries

• From data between 2008 and 2021, the prevalence rates of Autism differed by continent, with 0.4% in Asia, 0.5% in Europe, 1% in Africa and America and 1.7% in Australia.
• In 2021, high-income countries had a prevalence of 0.79%, while the prevalence of Autism in lower middle-income countries was 0.32%.
• This prevalence varied substantially by region, from one in 65 people in high-income Asia Pacific to one in 163 people in tropical Latin America.
• Qatar is said to have the highest reported Autism rate (151 per 10,000 individuals), followed by the United Arab Emirates (112 per 10,000), and Oman (107 per 10,000).
• On the other end of the spectrum is France with a significantly low rate, France (69 per 10,000).
• Scandinavian countries like Sweden (91 per 10,000) have relatively high rates which has been attributed to an inclusive diagnostic approach and widespread autism-targeted initiatives.
• The ten countries with the highest reported rates of Autism per 10,000 individuals diagnosed are Qatar (151), United Arab Emirates (112), Oman (107), Bahrain (103), Saudi Arabia (101), Kuwait (98), Jordan and Syria (92) and Afghanistan and Palestine (91).
• The ten countries with the lowest reported rates of Autism per 10,000 individuals diagnosed are France (69), Portugal (71), Iceland, Norway, Italy, Germany and Greece 72), and Austria, Belgium, and Spain (73).

In What Age-group is Autism Most Common?

• Autism affects individuals across all age groups, but the prevalence and impact can vary significantly. 
• The highest prevalence is observed in children and adolescents under 20 years old, making it one of the top ten causes of non-fatal health burden within this age group.
•  Diagnosis can occur across the lifespan, however the average age of diagnosis varies globally, with most studies reporting a mean age between 3 and 10 years old.
• Studies show that the highest rates of diagnosed autism are among children under 5 years old, with a gradual decline in prevalence with increasing age.
• In a meta-analysis  of data from 2000- 2020, the prevalence of Autism was found to be higher in children aged between 6 and 12 years (0.82%) compared to children under the age of 5 (0.60%) and those older than 13 years (0.57%).
• In England, the rate of new Autism diagnoses in 2018 was 1 in 250 for 5- to 9-year-olds, compared to 1 in 4,000 for 20- to 49-year-olds.

Is Autism More Prevalent in Boys Than Girls?

• Autism is significantly more prevalent in boys compared to girls, with a typical male-to-female ratio ranging from 3:1 to 4:1. Some studies suggest the ratio might be closer to 3:1 or even 2:1.
• In 2021 global age-standardised prevalence was found to be equivalent to 1064·7  autistic males per 100,000 males and 508·1 autistic females per 100 000 females.
• Females with autism often exhibit different characteristics compared to males. They may have fewer social difficulties or may be better at masking their autistic traits, which can lead to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.
• Females are often diagnosed later in life compared to males. This delay can be attributed to the differences in how Autism presents in females and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals.