Nutrition and Wellness
Gluten Intolerance by Country 2026
Country | Celiac Disease Prevalence 2016↓ | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Yemen | 5.56% | Among patients with chronic diarrhea |
 | Zambia | 5.56% | |
 | Tunisia | 5.56% | |
 | Kuwait | 5.56% | Among patients with chronic diarrhea |
 | Romania | 3.9% | Among IDDM patients |
 | Bulgaria | 2.65% | Among IDDM patients |
 | Finland | 2% | |
 | Syria | 1.5% | |
 | Mexico | 1.49% | |
 | Colombia | 1.49% | |
 | Argentina | 1.49% | The Toba community exhibits a high prevalence of the HLA-DQ8 genotype, increasing genetic susceptibility to celiac disease |
 | Chile | 1.49% | |
 | Algeria | 1.43% | |
 | Australia | 1.22% | |
 | Turkey | 1.15% | Anatolian adults: 1 : 100 |
 | India | 1.04% | General population; prevalence higher in northern India |
 | United States | 1% | |
 | Iran | 1% | Several studies have reported prevalences in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries similar to those in western Europe |
 | United Kingdom | 1% | |
 | Italy | 0.94% | |
 | Germany | 0.9% | |
 | Canada | 0.9% | |
 | Spain | 0.85% | |
 | Libya | 0.8% | |
 | Switzerland | 0.76% | |
 | Portugal | 0.75% | |
 | Saudi Arabia | 0.64% | |
 | Israel | 0.64% | |
 | Hungary | 0.6% | |
 | Sweden | 0.53% | |
 | Netherlands | 0.51% | |
 | Egypt | 0.5% | |
 | Latvia | 0.49% | |
 | Czechia | 0.46% | |
 | France | 0.4% | |
 | Norway | 0.38% | Low wheat consumption, low frequency of HLA-DQ2 |
 | Estonia | 0.34% | |
 | Ireland | 0.33% | |
 | Poland | 0.25% | In children |
 | Croatia | 0.19% | |
 | Greece | 0.18% | 8.6% - Among IDDM children |
 | Brazil | 0.17% | |
 | Denmark | 0.01% | |
 | Japan | 0.01% | Low wheat consumption, low frequency of HLA-DQ2 |
- Gluten intolerance is often measured in terms of rates of Celiac’s disease, which is the most common form of gluten intolerance. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a similar affliction that creates similar symptoms, but is less damaging to the small intestine.
- In a 2018 review of 96 studies of Celiac disease taken all around the world, it was determined that the current worldwide prevalence of celiac disease is 1.4% based on blood tests and 0.7% based on biopsy results. The prevalence of celiac disease was 0.4% in South America, 0.5% in Africa and North America, 0.6% in Asia, and 0.8% in Europe and Oceania. The prevalence was higher in female than male individuals, and was significantly greater in children than adults.
- Prevalence estimates for celiac disease vary across regions and studies due to differences in diagnostic methods, population genetics, dietary patterns, and levels of disease awareness and screening. Where a range of prevalence is reported, the higher estimate is used to represent the upper bound of likely prevalence.
- Prevalence data for a handful of countries were compiled from a secondary source, which may confound a small number of country-to-country comparisons.
Snapshot
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Reported celiac disease prevalence varies widely by country, ranging from over 5% in some Middle Eastern and North African studies to near zero in parts of East Asia.
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Countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Finland report some of the highest documented prevalence rates, while Japan and Denmark report some of the lowest.
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For most people, gluten poses no inherent health risk, and avoiding it without medical need offers little proven benefit.
Many people wonder if gluten intolerance is the same thing as celiac disease. There are several types of gluten intolerance, and celiac disease is one of the most common – a condition that can be confirmed by lab tests. Some people suffer from gluten intolerance but do not necessarily have celiac disease. Therefore, it can be a challenge to measure rates of gluten intolerance across the world, particularly since some countries do not have the same type of medical equipment. Gluten intolerance has become more common in recent years.
Gluten Intolerance A broad term describing adverse symptoms experienced after consuming gluten. This can include non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which lacks a universally accepted diagnostic test and is difficult to measure consistently across countries.
Celiac Disease A medically diagnosed autoimmune condition in which gluten consumption damages the small intestine. Most global prevalence data, including the figures in this article, reflect celiac disease rather than general gluten intolerance.
Countries with the Highest Reported Rates of Celiac Disease
Reported rates of celiac disease vary widely by country and are not confined to a single region. Based on available 2016 data – the most recent data available as of early 2026 – some of the highest documented prevalence rates appear in parts of North Africa and the Middle East, including Yemen, Zambia, Tunisia, and Kuwait, each reporting prevalence levels around 5.56%, though several of these figures are drawn from specific clinical populations rather than nationwide screening.
In Europe, Romania (3.9%) and Bulgaria (2.65%) report higher prevalence than most Western countries, again largely based on high-risk patient groups. Finland reports an estimated 2% prevalence in the general population, which remains among the highest population-wide rates documented in Europe.
Countries with the Lowest Reported Rates of Celiac Disease
At the lower end of reported prevalence, several countries show extremely low rates of celiac disease, often well below 0.5%. Japan and Denmark, for example, both report prevalence estimates of around 0.01%, among the lowest documented globally. Other countries with comparatively low reported rates include Brazil (0.17%), Croatia (0.19%), and Poland (0.25%, among children).
These lower figures are often attributed to a combination of dietary patterns, genetic factors, and diagnostic practices. In East Asia, for example, historically lower wheat consumption and lower prevalence of HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genetic markers reduce overall risk. In some regions, underdiagnosis and limited population-wide screening may also contribute to lower reported prevalence, meaning true rates could be somewhat higher than documented.
Effects of Gluten on Human Health
Many people avoid gluten even without a medical diagnosis, often believing it is inherently unhealthy. However, for most people, gluten is not harmful. Individuals without celiac disease or a medically confirmed gluten sensitivity can typically digest gluten without issue as part of a balanced diet.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which gluten triggers intestinal damage, making strict avoidance medically necessary. Outside of this group, large population studies have not shown consistent health benefits from eliminating gluten. While some individuals report digestive discomfort after consuming wheat-based foods, these symptoms may stem from other factors such as fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs) or overall diet quality rather than gluten itself.
