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. 2022 Dec 14;29(Suppl):S32–S42. doi: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0365

Global incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Margaret LP Teng 1,2,*, Cheng Han Ng 2,*, Daniel Q Huang 1,2,3,✉, Kai En Chan 2, Darren JH Tan 2, Wen Hui Lim 2, Ju Dong Yang 4, Eunice Tan 1,2,3, Mark D Muthiah 1,2,3,✉
PMCID: PMC10029957  PMID: 36517002

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. The estimated global incidence of NAFLD is 47 cases per 1,000 population and is higher among males than females. The estimated global prevalence of NAFLD among adults is 32% and is higher among males (40%) compared to females (26%). The global prevalence of NAFLD has increased over time, from 26% in studies from 2005 or earlier to 38% in studies from 2016 or beyond. The prevalence of NAFLD varies substantially by world region, contributed by differing rates of obesity, and genetic and socioeconomic factors. The prevalence of NAFLD exceeds 40% in the Americas and South-East Asia. The prevalence of NAFLD is projected to increase significantly in multiple world regions by 2030 if current trends are left unchecked. In this review, we discuss trends in the global incidence and prevalence of NAFLD and discuss future projections.

Keywords: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Incidence, Prevalence, Epidemiology

INTRODUCTION

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease globally [1]. It encompasses a spectrum ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis [2]. The global prevalence of NAFLD has been increasing over time, with a recent meta-analysis estimating that 32% of the adult population is afflicted by NAFLD [3]. This has occurred in tandem with the global obesity and diabetes epidemics [4,5]. NASH is now the fastest-rising cause of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide [6,7] and is also the fastest-rising indication for liver transplantation in the United States [8].

INCIDENCE OF NAFLD

A recent meta-analysis by Riazi et al. [3] estimated the incidence of NAFLD at 46.9 cases per 1,000 person-years. The incidence of NAFLD was higher in males (70.8 cases per 1,000 person-years) vs. females (26.9 cases per 1,000 person-years, P<0.0001). However, all included studies were conducted in Asia, hence it is unclear whether these data are generalizable to other parts of the world. A previous meta-analysis published in 2016 had estimated the NAFLD incidence at 52.34 per 1,000 person-years in Asia and 28.01 per 1,000 personyears in Israel [9]. Another meta-analysis focused on NAFLD in Asia reported an incidence of 50.9 per 1,000 person-years, with the highest incidence of 63 per 1,000 person-years in mainland China and the lowest incidence of 29 per 1,000 person-years in Japan (Fig. 1) [10]. The NAFLD incidence in South Korea was around 45 cases per 1,000 person-years [10,11]. Taken together, the estimates for NAFLD incidence in Asia remain consistent across several meta-analyses (Table 1).

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Estimated incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Data for China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea was obtained from Li et al. [10] and Riazi et al. [3]. Data for Israel was obtained from Riazi et al. [3] and Younossi et al. [9]. NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Table 1.

Selected meta-analyses providing data for the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Study No. of studies No. of individuals Study years Regions/Countries included Main findings Comments
Riazi et al. [3] (2022) 16 381,765 1994–2018 Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel) Incidence 46.9 cases per 1,000 person-years; the incidence in men (70.8 cases per 1,000 person-years) was higher than in women (29.6 cases per 1,000 person-years) The majority of included studies were from Asia hence data may not be generalizable
Substantial heterogeneity
Li et al. [10] (2019) 18 416,988 2002–2017 Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong) Incidence 50.9 cases per 1,000 person-years; incidence highest in China (63 per 1,000 person-years), lowest in Japan (29 per 1,000 person-years) All studies were from Asia hence data may not be generalizable
Younossi et al. [9] (2016) 5 4,895 1997–2013 Asia (China, Japan, Israel) Incidence 52.34 cases per 1,000 person-years (China and Japan), 28.01 cases per 1,000 person-years (Israel) A limited number of included studies
All studies were from 3 Asian countries
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PREVALENCE OF NAFLD

Riazi et al. [3] pooled data from 72 studies (1,030,160 individuals) and estimated that the global prevalence of NAFLD in adults was 32% (Table 2). The prevalence was higher in males than females (40% vs. 26%, P<0.0001). The prevalence of NAFLD increased from 26% in studies from 2005 or earlier to 38% in studies from 2016 or beyond. However, data from this study by Riazi et al. [3] requires cautious interpretation, as data were available from only 17 countries, hence it is unclear if the estimates from this study are a true reflection of ‘global’ prevalence. The relative lack of studies emphasizes the need to improve data collection from regions such as Africa, Oceania, and South America, where data was lacking. Le et al. [12] also pooled data from 245 studies (2,699,627 individuals) and estimated the global prevalence of NAFLD at 29.8%, which is consistent with Riazi’s findings. Likewise, in this study, there was limited or no data from Africa, Oceania, and North and South America.

Table 2.

Selected meta-analyses providing data for the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Study No. of studies No. of individuals Study years Regions/Countries included Main findings Comments
Riazi et al. [3] (2022) 72 1,030,160 1994–2019 Asia (63 studies), Europe (7 studies), North America (USA only), Africa (Egypt only) The estimated global prevalence was 32.4% Limited data from North America and Africa; no data from South America
Prevalence was higher in men (39.7%) than in women (25.6%)
Prevalence increased over time, from 25.5% ≤2005 to 37.8% ≥2016
Le et al. [12] (2021) 245 5,399,254 1991–2018 Asia (182 studies), Europe (11 studies), North America (3 studies), South America (4 studies), Africa (2 studies) Estimated global prevalence 29.8% Limited data from North America, South America, and Africa
Prevalence highest in South America (35.7%) and North America (35.3%)
Prevalence increased from 21.9% in 1991 to 37.3% in 2019 (yearly increase 0.7%)
Younossi et al. [9] (2016) 86 8,515,431 1989–2015 Asia (20 studies), Middle East (3 studies), Europe (21 studies), North America (35 studies), South America (3 studies), Africa (2 studies), Oceania (1 study) Estimated global prevalence 25.2% Limited data from South America and Africa Included case series and case-control studies
Prevalence highest in South America (30.5%) and the Middle East (31.8%); lowest in Africa (13.5%)
Rojas et al. [43] (2022) 19 5,625 South America only (Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru) Estimated overall prevalence 59%; prevalence in general and ‘captive’ population 24% High heterogeneity
A large proportion (2,948) were patients visiting healthcare facilities and hence susceptible to selection bias
Data applicable only to South America
Cholongitas et al. [31] (2021) 17 85,203 2005–2018 Europe Estimated overall prevalence 26.9% Studies that used elevated aminotransferases alone as a method for diagnosis of NAFLD were included
Prevalence in Mediterranean countries 23.9%, non- Mediterranean countries 28.5%
Prevalence higher in men (32.8%) than women (19.6%) Data are applicable only to Europe
Li et al. [10] (2019) 237 13,044,518 1994–2017 Asia Estimated overall prevalence 29.6% Data are applicable only to Asia
Prevalence increased over time – 25.3% (1995–2005), 28.5% (2006–2011), 33.9% (2012–2017)
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NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Asia

The prevalence of NAFLD varies substantially by region (Fig. 2). The overall prevalence of NAFLD in Asia is approximately 30%. A meta-analysis by Le et al. [12] conducted a literature search in 2019 (182 studies with 2,385,999 individuals) and estimated NAFLD prevalence in Asia at 30.5%. A recent meta-analysis by Riazi et al. [3] which included 63 studies (1,000,681 individuals) found that NAFLD prevalence in Asia was 31.6%. This is consistent with a previous meta-analysis by Li et al. [10] which reported NAFLD prevalence in Asia to be 29.62%.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Estimated prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data for Iran, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Europe (Turkey, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain), North America (USA), and Egypt was obtained from Riazi et al. [3]. Data for South America was obtained from Le et al. [12]. Data for South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore) was obtained from Li et al. [10]. Data for Japan was obtained from Li et al. [10] and Riazi et al. [3]. Data for Sudan was obtained from Younossi et al. [9]. Data for Australia was obtained from population-based studies by Farrell et al. [55] and Roberts et al. [54].

The prevalence of NAFLD within Asia is highly variable as it encompasses countries with a wide spectrum of ethnicities and socioeconomic factors. Among Asian subregions, Southeast Asia had the highest NAFLD prevalence of 42%. Among Asian countries with more than 3 studies available, Li et al. [10] determined that the highest pooled NAFLD prevalence was in Iran (38.07%), and the lowest pooled NAFLD prevalence was in Japan (22.28%). Riazi et al. [3] determined similar results and found that Iran had the highest NAFLD prevalence (40.8%), followed by Taiwan (36.1%), South Korea (34.6%), and China (32.5%). On the other hand, Japan had a strikingly low NAFLD prevalence of 22.3%, which may be related to a low prevalence of obesity.

In China, a meta-analysis by Wu et al. [13] estimated a NAFLD prevalence of 29.88%, and another study by Zhou et al. [14] estimated that NAFLD prevalence was 29.2%. NAFLD prevalence in South Korea is also approximately 30%—a meta-analysis by Im et al. [15] reported a NAFLD prevalence of 30.3%, and Li et al. [10] reported a similar prevalence of 32.9% [11]. A large cross-sectional study of 571,872 Korean males in their early 20s found that even among young adult males, NAFLD prevalence was 13.47%, with an increase from 10.66% in 2015 to 16.44% in 2021. There was a higher prevalence of metabolic risk factors such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia during the same period [16]. Another study utilizing data from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that NAFLD prevalence increased from 18.6% in 1998–2001 to 21.5% in 2016–2017, and there was a higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes over the same period [17]. These suggest that the increasing NAFLD prevalence may be driven by an increase in metabolic risk factors. Ito et al. [18] reported a comparatively lower NAFLD prevalence of 25.5% in Japan, in line with the findings by Li and Riazi. This could be attributed to a lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes in Japan compared to other countries [19,20], and may be related to a diet that is traditionally lower in fat and red meat [21].

In South Asia, India had a NAFLD prevalence of 25.7–32.74%, Bangladesh had a NAFLD prevalence of 26.2–33.86%, and Sri Lanka had a NAFLD prevalence of 24.74% [3,10]. In Southeast Asia, Li et al. [10] reported that NAFLD prevalence was 38.5% in Malaysia, 40.43% in Singapore, and 51.04% in Indonesia. Data from Central Asia is lacking, but the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 reported NAFLD prevalence in Central Asia increased from 12.4% in 1990 to 19.7% in 2019, although these estimates require cautious interpretation as the Global Burden of Disease Study relied on complex modeling and past trends when data was limited [22].

A distinct feature of the NAFLD epidemic in Asia is the high prevalence of lean NAFLD (body mass index [BMI] <23) and non-obese NAFLD (BMI <25) [23]. Up to 19% of non-obese Asians have NAFLD [24], which may be contributed to a higher percentage of visceral adiposity in Asians compared to other ethnicities [25]. Visceral adiposity plays an important role in atherogenic dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. It is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and has been implicated in the development and progression of NAFLD [26]. Asians also tend to develop diabetes at a younger age and lower BMI level, resulting in a longer duration of disease and increased likelihood of complications [27-29]. Worryingly, emerging data suggest that individuals with lean NAFLD may be at a higher risk of progressive liver disease, but this hypothesis requires validation [30].

Europe

Meta-analyses by Le and Riazi had similar estimates of the prevalence of NAFLD in Europe at 30.9% (11 studies with 15,062 individuals) [12] and 32.6% (7 studies with 14,111 individuals) [3], respectively. Another meta-analysis by Cholongitas et al. [31] pooled data from 17 studies (85,203 individuals) and estimated NAFLD prevalence in Europe to be 26.9%. Cholongitas also found that NAFLD prevalence in Mediterranean countries at 23.9% compared to non-Mediterranean countries at 28.5%, although the difference was not statistically significant.

Within Europe, Turkey had the highest NAFLD prevalence at 48.4%, followed by Italy at 38.2%. Germany, Portugal, and Spain had NAFLD prevalence between 25–27% [3]. A cross-sectional study utilizing data from a large population-based cohort in France found that NAFLD prevalence in France was 18.2% [32]. A study involving individuals from population-based studies in Russia reported that NAFLD prevalence was 40% in the Ural Eye and Medical Study (UEMS) (5,852 individuals), and 69.8% in the Ural Very Old Study (UVOS) (1,130 individuals) [33]. However, it should be noted that in the UVOS, individuals were older with minimum age of 85 years, and methods for diagnosis of NAFLD differed between studies as well.

North America

Based on subgroup data from 4 studies (18,356 individuals), Le et al. [12] estimated that the prevalence of NAFLD in North America was 35.3%. More recently, NAFLD prevalence was reported at 47.8% in the meta-analysis by Riazi which included 2 large studies with 15,178 individuals from the USA [3]. This is driven by a high prevalence of obesity in the USA. In North America, Hispanics have the highest NAFLD prevalence, followed by non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic blacks [34-39]. Based on data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2017–2018, NAFLD prevalence was estimated at 63.7% in Hispanics, 56.8% in non-Hispanic whites, and 46.2% in non-Hispanic blacks [37]. This could be attributed to genetic factors like the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) mutation, which is associated with elevated risk for hepatic steatosis and NASH, occurring more frequently in Hispanics [40,41]. This could also be related to metabolic factors like the higher prevalence of central adiposity and insulin resistance in Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites [34,42]. Lower serum triglyceride levels in African-Americans may also contribute to reduced NAFLD prevalence [38].

South America

A meta-analysis comprising 19 studies (5,626 individuals) by Rojas et al. estimated the prevalence of NAFLD in South America at up to 59% [43]. Notably, the majority of the studies included in this meta-analysis were hospital-based studies and included patients with risk factors for NAFLD, hence the results may not have been fully representative of the general population. Le et al. [12] pooled data from 3 studies (5,716 individuals) and determined that South America had the greatest estimated NAFLD prevalence among the continents at 35.7%. This may be due to a combination of genetic susceptibility and a greater prevalence of metabolic risk factors [44]. There is a high prevalence of PNPLA3 genetic polymorphism in the general population, especially among individuals with Native American ancestry [45-47]. Furthermore, obesity is extremely common in the region—a cross-sectional study across 4 geographical regions found that central obesity was highest in South America [48]. Type 2 diabetes has also been rising in prevalence in South America [49]. Data from the meta-analysis by Le showed that compared to other regions, NAFLD individuals in South America had a higher likelihood of having diabetes and higher mean cholesterol levels [12]. In addition, physical activity is often inadequate—Latin America was ranked as the top region for physical inactivity, with a third of the population experiencing a lack of physical activity [50].

Africa

There is a paucity of data from Africa on the epidemiology of NAFLD. A meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of NAFLD in Africa at 13.5%, ranging from 9% in Nigeria to 20% in Sudan [51]. More recently, NAFLD prevalence was reported at 28.2% in the meta-analysis by Le, and 56.8% in the meta-analysis by Riazi [3,12]. Of note, the meta-analysis by Riazi only included 1 study from Egypt. The wide variation in estimates of NAFLD prevalence is likely related to a lack of reliable data from Africa [52,53].

Oceania

Likewise, there is scarce data from Oceania on the incidence and prevalence of NAFLD. Population-based studies using fatty liver index have demonstrated NAFLD prevalence of 35.7–38% in Australia [54,55]. There are no population-based studies on NAFLD prevalence using imaging modalities such as ultrasound [56].

PROJECTIONS IN THE PREVALENCE OF NAFLD

Based on mathematical modeling studies, the burden of NAFLD and NASH will continue to increase over the next 10 years worldwide (Fig. 3). The global prevalence of NAFLD is forecasted to reach 55.4% by 2040 [57]. It was estimated by Estes et al. [58] that China would have the greatest overall and relative increase in NAFLD prevalence, with the estimated number of individuals afflicted by NAFLD increasing from 243.67 million in 2016 to 314.58 million in 2030. Comparatively, Japan was forecasted to have the lowest increment in NAFLD population from 22.67 million in 2016 to 22.74 million in 2030, with an estimated prevalence of 18.8% in 2030 [58]. A similar modeling study including 4 other Asian countries predicted that Singapore would have the highest relative increase of 20% in NAFLD cases, from 1.49 million in 2019 to 1.8 million in 2030, with an expected prevalence of 28.7% in 2030 [59]. South Korea was predicted to have the lowest relative increment of 6% from 10.95 million in 2019 to 11.64 million in 2030, with an expected prevalence of 22.8% in 2030 [59]. These models were based on data on obesity prevalence and were predicated on the assumption that changes in NAFLD prevalence would occur in concordance with changes in obesity prevalence. In the Middle East, it was projected that in Saudi Arabia, NAFLD cases would increase from 8.45 million in 2017 to 12.53 million in 2030, with an expected prevalence of 31.7% by 2030; in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), NAFLD cases were projected to increase from 0.255 million in 2017 to 0.372 million in 2030, with an expected prevalence of 30.2% by 2030 [60].

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

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Estimated projections for the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data was obtained from Estes et al. [58,59,61]. Data for Saudi Arabia was obtained from Alswat et al. [60], data for Canada was obtained from Swain et al. [62], and data for Australia was obtained from Adams et al. [63].

In Europe, a modeling study found that between 2016 to 2030, the number of NAFLD cases could potentially increase from 13.98 million to 16.05 million in France; 18.45 million to 20.95 million in Germany; 15.22 million to 17.42 million in Italy; 10.53 million to 12.65 million in Spain; and 14.08 million to 16.92 million in the United Kingdom (UK). By 2030, the estimated prevalence of NAFLD was forecasted to be highest in Italy (29.5%), followed by Spain (27.6%), Germany (26.4%), the UK (24.7%), and France (23.6%) [58].

This trend of increasing NAFLD prevalence has also been predicted to occur in North America and Australia. A modeling study based on data from the US predicted that the number of individuals with NAFLD would increase by 21% from 83.1 million in 2015 to 100.9 million in 2030, reaching an expected prevalence of 33.5% in 2030 [61]. A separate modeling study from Canada projected that NAFLD individuals would rise by 20% from an estimated 7.76 million in 2019 to 9.31 million in 2030 [62]. A similar study from Australia estimated that NAFLD cases would increase by 25% from 5.55 million in 2019 to 7.02 million in 2030, and NAFLD prevalence was expected to rise from 22% to 23.6% in 2030 [63]. Taken together, these data suggest that the prevalence and burden of NAFLD is likely to increase across multiple world regions if current trends are left unchecked. This serves as a call to action for greater political will and resources directed toward combating metabolic risk factors for NAFLD, at a regional and global level [64,65].

CONCLUSION

In summary, the global burden of NAFLD is substantial and is projected to increase. It is important to maintain and increase data collection from all world regions to improve the understanding of the burden of disease associated with NAFLD and NASH worldwide. Improving our understanding of the burden of NAFLD can facilitate the development of healthcare policies and strategies to slow this epidemic.

Abbreviations

NAFLD

nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

NASH

nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

HCC

hepatocellular carcinoma

BMI

body mass index

NHANES

National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

PNPLA3

patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3

FLI

fatty liver index

Footnotes

Authors’ contribution

All authors have made substantial contributions to all of the following: (1) the conception and design of the study, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data, (2) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content, (3) final approval of the version to be submitted. No writing assistance was obtained in the preparation of the manuscript. The manuscript, including related data, figures and tables has not been previously published and that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere.

All authors approve the final version of the manuscript, including the authorship list and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts to disclose.

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