Global and Regional Prevalence Estimates of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Summary

Current best estimates put autism spectrum disorder prevalence around 1% of the population globally, though in some regions (like the U.S.) it is several-fold higher in children (≈3%). Europe and Asia generally report ~0.5–1% in recent studies, but all regions have seen prevalence increase over time. These figures underscore the importance of health services and policy planning, as tens of millions of people worldwide are on the autism spectrum. Ongoing surveillance, both in childhood and adulthood is crucial for understanding ASD and ensuring that adequate support and resources are available for autistic individuals across the lifespan.

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Global prevalence

Recent estimates indicate that roughly 1% of the worldwide population is on the autism spectrum. The World Health Organization reports that about 1 in 100 children globally has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. In terms of the total population (all ages), a comprehensive 2024 analysis found approximately 0.8% of people worldwide are autistic, ~ 1 in 127 individuals in 2021. This global prevalence (0.8%) is substantially higher than earlier estimates (for example, about 0.37% or 1 in 271 in 2019), reflecting improved recognition and diagnosis worldwide.

It’s important to note that actual reported rates vary across studies and countries, with some well-designed studies finding higher figures in certain communities. Many low- and middle-income countries lack robust data on ASD, so global figures may underestimate true prevalence in those regions.

Overall, current evidence suggests that on the order of ~1% of the global population is autistic, when using contemporary diagnostic criteria and methods.

Regional prevalence

Geographic regions show variation in ASD prevalence. Table 1 summarizes recent prevalence estimates (as a percentage of the population) in key regions, distinguishing pediatric rates (usually measured in childhood) and adult rates where available.

Table 1: Prevalence estimates of ASD in different parts of the world

North America (USA) reports one of the highest ASD prevalences in children at roughly 2.5–3% in recent years. In the United States, the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) network found an average prevalence of 3.2% among 8-year-old children in 2022 (1 in 31 children).

By contrast, historical estimates in many European countries have been closer to 1% of children. A recent review of studies across Europe (2015–2020) found a pooled ASD rate of about 0.8% in youth when using health registries, and up to 1.4% in population-based surveys that actively screened children. This difference suggests that many children with ASD are missed in routine records, and proactive population screening finds higher rates.

Asia has reported lower prevalences in earlier studies, with a meta-analysis finding an average ASD prevalence of only 0.36% in Asian populations (with East Asia around 0.5% and South Asia ~0.3%). This likely reflects under-detection in past years; indeed, the authors noted the prevalence in Asia has been rising in more recent cohorts.

Data from Africa and other regions are more scarce, but some analyses and global models suggest prevalence around 1% in those regions as well, albeit with large uncertainty.

Prevalence in adults

Systematic surveillance is limited for adult populations. The U.S. CDC produced an estimate that approximately 2.21% of American adults (about 1 in 45) were autistic as of 2017. This was derived by modeling childhood rates and survival and corresponded to about 5.4 million adults in the U.S. with ASD. In Europe, population-based surveys of adults are rare; a notable British study in England found roughly 1% of adults met ASD diagnostic criteria (with similar rates in young and older adults).

Overall, globally, adult ASD prevalence appears to be on the order of 1–2% in high-income regions, but many older adults may remain undiagnosed. The higher U.S. adult estimate of 2.2% could reflect better childhood identification in recent decades and broader diagnostic inclusion, whereas earlier-born cohorts in Europe had less opportunity for diagnosis, keeping recorded adult rates nearer 1%. There is a clear need for more data on adult autism prevalence globally.

Temporal trends in ASD prevalence

Across all regions, ASD prevalence has trended upward over time. Improvements in awareness, diagnostic practices, and broadened diagnostic criteria have contributed to steadily increasing reported rates. In the United States, autism prevalence in 8-year-olds rose from about 0.67% (1 in 150) in the year 2000 to 3.2% (1 in 31) by 2022. This is a roughly five-fold increase over two decades. The CDC’s data (Table 1) document intermediate jumps (1 in 69 in 2012, 1 in 54 in 2016, 1 in 44 by 2018, etc.) as identification expanded.

Similarly, global reviews show rising prevalence: one analysis found median worldwide prevalence in children was about 1% in the 2010s, higher than in prior decades. The Global Burden of Disease study noted a jump in modeled global prevalence from 0.37% in 2019 to ~0.78% in 2021, attributing the change to new data and improved methods. It’s widely agreed that much of the increase is due to better detection (earlier screening, expanded diagnostic criteria, reduced stigma, etc.), rather than a true surge in the underlying incidence of ASD. Nonetheless, researchers continue to investigate environmental and genetic factors to determine if any part of the rise reflects real changes in risk factors.