Global Micronutrient Deficiencies


Billions of people globally remain deficient in essential micronutrients, according to a large-scale study in The Lancet Global Health (Aug 29, 2024) and supported by follow-up research in 2025.

 Key Findings from 2024–2025 Studies

  • More than 5 billion people remain deficient in iodine (68%), vitamin E (67%), and calcium (66%) based on dietary intake data of 185 countries 0.
  • Over 4 billion people also do not consume enough iron (65%), riboflavin (55%), folate (54%), and vitamin C (53%) .
  • Additional research highlights emerging deficiencies in vitamin D and magnesium, especially among populations with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes (~60% low vitamin D; ~42% low magnesium) .

Gender & Regional Disparities

Women are significantly more likely to be deficient in iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium; men often fall short on magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamin, and niacin .

Regionally:

  • South/East Asia & Sub‑Saharan Africa: highest calcium inadequacy, especially ages 10–30 .
  • India: severe shortfalls in riboflavin, folate, and B‑vitamins .
  • Selenium: notably low in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia .

Health Impacts & Scientific Context

Micronutrient deficiencies—sometimes called “hidden hunger”—are linked to anemia, impaired cognitive development, weakened immune systems, poor pregnancy outcomes, and bone disorders .

Among individuals with metabolic disorders (e.g., type 2 diabetes), vitamin D, magnesium, and B12 deficiencies are pervasive and worsen disease outcomes .

Updated Methodology & Limitations

The 2024–25 modelling leveraged the Global Dietary Database, assessing 15 micronutrients by age/sex across 185 countries, using probabilistic intake-distribution methods .

However, these estimates exclude nutrients from fortified foods and supplements—common in high-income settings—possibly overstating deficiencies. Dietary surveys are often two-day recalls, which may not capture long-term patterns .

Solutions: Policy & Individual Action

  • Food fortification & biofortification: e.g., iodized salt, vitamin A-fortified flour, multi-nutrient biofortified crops .
  • Nutrition education: WHO emphasizes diverse diets, fruit/veg, legumes, whole grains, and fortified staples .
  • Clinical screening: Individuals with chronic conditions should consider testing for deficiencies and targeted supplementation .

2025 Scientific Advances & Emerging Tools

Innovative research in 2024–2025 is focusing on non-invasive, accessible micronutrient testing methods—like smartphone spectrophotometry—expected to improve individual screening capabilities in low-resource settings .


Despite progress, global micronutrient deficiencies persist at alarming rates. Updated data (2024–25) reinforces the urgent need for coordinated efforts across public health, agriculture, policy, and clinical care sectors.

A sustainable path forward combines:

  1. Broader and smarter food fortification & biofortification,
  2. Expansion of diet diversity education in vulnerable regions,
  3. Access to individual screening tools and guided supplementation.

This multi-pronged approach is essential to combat hidden hunger and promote health equity globally.

References

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