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.
A lot of people are wondering 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 examples. Celiac disease is a condition that can be confirmed by running lab tests. There are some people who 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 during the past few years.
What Country Has the Highest Rate of Gluten Intolerance?
The highest rate of celiac disease specifically has been reported in North Africa. If someone has been diagnosed with celiac disease, they are not able to consume wheat without subjecting themselves to significant GI issues. For example, people who have celiac disease and subsequently eat wheat could develop bloody diarrhea and weight loss. Furthermore, it could harm the ability of the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients, which can lead to a variety of other medical complications. Even though there are several other countries that have relatively high rates of this condition, North Africa has a higher prevalence than other places.
Does Finland Have a High Rate of Celiac Disease?
It may come as a surprise to hear that Finland also has a relatively high rate of celiac disease. Approximately 2.5 percent of all adults in Finland between the ages of 30 and 64 have been diagnosed with this condition. Therefore, it is relatively common. In addition, approximately one percent of all children in Finland have also been diagnosed with this condition. Not everyone who develops celiac disease has it at birth. There are some situations where this condition can develop later in life. Finland has one of the highest rates of celiac disease in the western world, but it also has a very strong medical system. Therefore, Finland has plenty of medical professionals who are able to help people who have been diagnosed with this condition.
Is Gluten Bad for You?
There are a lot of people who try to stay away from gluten even if they have not been diagnosed with celiac disease. For example, a lot of people in the United States try to stay away from gluten because they believe it is bad for them. Gluten is not necessarily bad for people, but like anything else, it is important for people to consume it in moderation. Some people say that they feel tired or slow after they eat gluten. There are other people who say it makes them feel uncomfortable. In reality, people who eat gluten regularly should be able to digest it easily, provided they do not have celiac disease. People who eat a well-rounded diet and exercise regularly should be able to consume gluten without leading to any significant health issues.
