GITNUXREPORT 2026

Intimate Partner Violence Global Statistics

One in three women globally experiences intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Global economic cost of IPV: 1.5 trillion USD annually (1.6% GDP).

Statistic 2

IPV leads to 5.8 million lost workdays yearly for women globally.

Statistic 3

Only 10% of countries have comprehensive IPV laws.

Statistic 4

Legal aid access for IPV victims: 40% globally.

Statistic 5

Prevention programs reduce IPV by 20% in trials.

Statistic 6

Shelters available for 1% of IPV victims worldwide.

Statistic 7

Hotlines reach 15% of potential IPV victims annually.

Statistic 8

IPV-related healthcare costs: 8% of total health expenditure in some countries.

Statistic 9

Conviction rates for IPV: under 20% globally.

Statistic 10

Education campaigns cut IPV incidence by 10-15%.

Statistic 11

Microfinance for women reduces IPV by 12%.

Statistic 12

65 countries have IPV-specific legislation as of 2022.

Statistic 13

Police response time to IPV calls averages 2 hours globally.

Statistic 14

Therapeutic interventions lower recidivism by 33%.

Statistic 15

Universal screening in health settings detects 50% more cases.

Statistic 16

Community mobilization programs reduce IPV by 52% in 2 years.

Statistic 17

Legal reforms increase reporting by 25%.

Statistic 18

Economic empowerment cuts IPV risk by 22%.

Statistic 19

IPV absenteeism costs employers 1.8% productivity loss.

Statistic 20

IPV causes 42% of female depression cases globally.

Statistic 21

IPV linked to 1.5 million DALYs lost annually worldwide.

Statistic 22

16% increased risk of HIV acquisition for IPV victims.

Statistic 23

Suicide attempts 2.2x higher among IPV survivors.

Statistic 24

50% of IPV victims suffer chronic pain.

Statistic 25

Pregnancy complications 1.4x in IPV cases globally.

Statistic 26

PTSD prevalence 36% among lifetime IPV victims.

Statistic 27

IPV contributes to 18% of maternal mortality.

Statistic 28

Anxiety disorders 1.7x higher in IPV-exposed women.

Statistic 29

25% of female emergency room visits linked to IPV.

Statistic 30

Alcohol dependence 2x in IPV victims.

Statistic 31

Childhood obesity risk 1.5x for children of IPV victims.

Statistic 32

40% of IPV survivors develop somatic symptoms.

Statistic 33

Breast cancer screening 20% lower among survivors.

Statistic 34

Heart disease risk 1.47x elevated post-IPV.

Statistic 35

IPV accounts for 30% of women's intentional injuries.

Statistic 36

Neurological injuries from IPV affect 10% victims severely.

Statistic 37

Perpetrators are current/former partners in 80% of female homicides globally.

Statistic 38

58% of male perpetrators of IPV report childhood abuse exposure.

Statistic 39

Alcohol use by perpetrators involved in 55% of IPV incidents globally.

Statistic 40

Men with controlling behaviors show 4x higher IPV perpetration.

Statistic 41

25% of male IPV perpetrators have criminal records.

Statistic 42

Unemployment among male partners correlates with 1.8x IPV risk.

Statistic 43

Men aged 25-34 perpetrate 40% of IPV cases globally.

Statistic 44

Patriarchal attitudes predict 3x higher perpetration rates.

Statistic 45

30% of IPV perpetrators are repeat offenders within 1 year.

Statistic 46

Mental health disorders in 20% of male perpetrators.

Statistic 47

Drug abuse linked to 40% of severe IPV perpetration.

Statistic 48

70% of perpetrators deny or minimize violence.

Statistic 49

Young male perpetrators (18-24) use digital abuse in 50% cases.

Statistic 50

IPV perpetration higher among men with multiple partners (2.2x).

Statistic 51

Globally, 1 in 3 women (about 736 million) aged 15+ have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.

Statistic 52

In 2022, an estimated 27% of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 worldwide experienced physical or sexual IPV in the past 12 months.

Statistic 53

Lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual IPV among women is 30% globally, rising to 38% in least developed countries.

Statistic 54

6% of women globally report experiencing sexual violence by an intimate partner in the last 12 months.

Statistic 55

Over 640 million women aged 15+ (1 in 3) have faced IPV globally as per 2021 WHO estimates.

Statistic 56

In high-income countries, 22% of women report lifetime IPV compared to 25% in low/middle-income.

Statistic 57

13% of women worldwide have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner.

Statistic 58

Global past-year prevalence of any IPV among women is 13%, affecting 736 million ever-partnered women.

Statistic 59

35% of female homicides worldwide are committed by intimate partners.

Statistic 60

In 2018, 50,000 women were killed by intimate partners or family members globally.

Statistic 61

Lifetime IPV prevalence for women in Africa is 33%, highest regionally.

Statistic 62

In South-East Asia, 21% of women aged 15-49 report past-year physical/sexual IPV.

Statistic 63

Eastern Mediterranean region shows 31% lifetime IPV among ever-partnered women.

Statistic 64

Americas have 25% lifetime prevalence of IPV for women, per WHO multi-country study.

Statistic 65

Europe reports 23% of women experiencing physical/sexual IPV lifetime.

Statistic 66

Western Pacific region: 20% past-year IPV prevalence among women 15-49.

Statistic 67

In low-income African countries, 41% of women face lifetime IPV.

Statistic 68

Latin America and Caribbean: 29.5% annual IPV rate for women.

Statistic 69

Middle East and North Africa: 28% lifetime physical IPV for women.

Statistic 70

Oceania (Pacific Islands): up to 68% lifetime IPV prevalence in some studies.

Statistic 71

81% of women aged 15-49 in Ethiopia report lifetime IPV.

Statistic 72

In India, 31.9% of ever-married women aged 15-49 experienced spousal violence.

Statistic 73

Bangladesh: 54% of women report physical violence from husbands ever.

Statistic 74

Brazil: 10% past-year IPV among women aged 15+.

Statistic 75

In the US (as global comparator), 1 in 4 women experience severe physical IPV.

Statistic 76

Russia: 16,000 women killed by partners annually, highest in Europe.

Statistic 77

South Africa: 55% lifetime IPV for women per national survey.

Statistic 78

Australia: 23% of women report partner violence post-separation.

Statistic 79

China: 24.7% of women experienced IPV in lifetime per 2018 study.

Statistic 80

Globally, women aged 15-24 are 1.5 times more likely to experience IPV than older women.

Statistic 81

42% of girls aged 15-19 in low/middle-income countries face IPV.

Statistic 82

Men comprise 10% of global IPV victims, mostly physical violence.

Statistic 83

Pregnant women have 28% higher risk of IPV globally.

Statistic 84

Rural women experience 1.4 times higher IPV rates than urban (global meta-analysis).

Statistic 85

Women with disabilities face 40% higher lifetime IPV prevalence.

Statistic 86

LGBTQ+ women report 44% lifetime IPV rates vs 35% heterosexual.

Statistic 87

Adolescent girls (15-19) in conflict zones: 50%+ IPV exposure.

Statistic 88

Low-education women: 2x IPV risk compared to higher education.

Statistic 89

Indigenous women globally face 1.5-2x higher IPV victimization.

Statistic 90

Women in polygamous marriages: 38% IPV prevalence vs 26% monogamous.

Statistic 91

Migrant women: 40% higher IPV reporting in host countries.

Statistic 92

Elderly women (60+): 10-15% experience late-life IPV globally.

Statistic 93

Sex workers: 45-75% lifetime IPV in global studies.

Statistic 94

Women with children: 32% IPV vs 25% childless.

Statistic 95

Transgender individuals: 31% past-year IPV victimization.

Statistic 96

Single mothers: 2.5x higher IPV rates globally.

Statistic 97

Women in informal settlements: 35% annual IPV exposure.

1/97

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Behind every chilling statistic lies a shattered life, a truth made horrifyingly clear by the global fact that one in three women—more than 736 million—will experience intimate partner violence in her lifetime.

Key Takeaways

Globally, 1 in 3 women (about 736 million) aged 15+ have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
In 2022, an estimated 27% of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 worldwide experienced physical or sexual IPV in the past 12 months.
Lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual IPV among women is 30% globally, rising to 38% in least developed countries.
Lifetime IPV prevalence for women in Africa is 33%, highest regionally.
In South-East Asia, 21% of women aged 15-49 report past-year physical/sexual IPV.
Eastern Mediterranean region shows 31% lifetime IPV among ever-partnered women.
Globally, women aged 15-24 are 1.5 times more likely to experience IPV than older women.
42% of girls aged 15-19 in low/middle-income countries face IPV.
Men comprise 10% of global IPV victims, mostly physical violence.
Perpetrators are current/former partners in 80% of female homicides globally.
58% of male perpetrators of IPV report childhood abuse exposure.
Alcohol use by perpetrators involved in 55% of IPV incidents globally.
IPV causes 42% of female depression cases globally.
IPV linked to 1.5 million DALYs lost annually worldwide.
16% increased risk of HIV acquisition for IPV victims.

One in three women globally experiences intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

Economic and Legal Responses

Global economic cost of IPV: 1.5 trillion USD annually (1.6% GDP).
IPV leads to 5.8 million lost workdays yearly for women globally.
Only 10% of countries have comprehensive IPV laws.
Legal aid access for IPV victims: 40% globally.
Prevention programs reduce IPV by 20% in trials.
Shelters available for 1% of IPV victims worldwide.
Hotlines reach 15% of potential IPV victims annually.
IPV-related healthcare costs: 8% of total health expenditure in some countries.
Conviction rates for IPV: under 20% globally.
Education campaigns cut IPV incidence by 10-15%.
Microfinance for women reduces IPV by 12%.
65 countries have IPV-specific legislation as of 2022.
Police response time to IPV calls averages 2 hours globally.
Therapeutic interventions lower recidivism by 33%.
Universal screening in health settings detects 50% more cases.
Community mobilization programs reduce IPV by 52% in 2 years.
Legal reforms increase reporting by 25%.
Economic empowerment cuts IPV risk by 22%.
IPV absenteeism costs employers 1.8% productivity loss.

Economic and Legal Responses Interpretation

The world has abundant proof that preventing domestic violence is astoundingly effective, yet we stubbornly treat it like a luxury we cannot afford, prioritizing costly aftermath over the cheaper, more humane solution of stopping it in the first place.

Health Consequences

IPV causes 42% of female depression cases globally.
IPV linked to 1.5 million DALYs lost annually worldwide.
16% increased risk of HIV acquisition for IPV victims.
Suicide attempts 2.2x higher among IPV survivors.
50% of IPV victims suffer chronic pain.
Pregnancy complications 1.4x in IPV cases globally.
PTSD prevalence 36% among lifetime IPV victims.
IPV contributes to 18% of maternal mortality.
Anxiety disorders 1.7x higher in IPV-exposed women.
25% of female emergency room visits linked to IPV.
Alcohol dependence 2x in IPV victims.
Childhood obesity risk 1.5x for children of IPV victims.
40% of IPV survivors develop somatic symptoms.
Breast cancer screening 20% lower among survivors.
Heart disease risk 1.47x elevated post-IPV.
IPV accounts for 30% of women's intentional injuries.
Neurological injuries from IPV affect 10% victims severely.

Health Consequences Interpretation

Intimate partner violence is not a private dispute but a global health crisis, methodically dismantling women's bodies, minds, and lives with statistical precision.

Perpetrator Characteristics

Perpetrators are current/former partners in 80% of female homicides globally.
58% of male perpetrators of IPV report childhood abuse exposure.
Alcohol use by perpetrators involved in 55% of IPV incidents globally.
Men with controlling behaviors show 4x higher IPV perpetration.
25% of male IPV perpetrators have criminal records.
Unemployment among male partners correlates with 1.8x IPV risk.
Men aged 25-34 perpetrate 40% of IPV cases globally.
Patriarchal attitudes predict 3x higher perpetration rates.
30% of IPV perpetrators are repeat offenders within 1 year.
Mental health disorders in 20% of male perpetrators.
Drug abuse linked to 40% of severe IPV perpetration.
70% of perpetrators deny or minimize violence.
Young male perpetrators (18-24) use digital abuse in 50% cases.
IPV perpetration higher among men with multiple partners (2.2x).

Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation

These statistics paint a chilling, interconnected portrait of a global crisis, revealing that the most dangerous place for a woman is often in a relationship with a man who is shaped by trauma, entitlement, and substance abuse, and who sees her not as a partner but as a possession to control.

Prevalence Rates

Globally, 1 in 3 women (about 736 million) aged 15+ have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
In 2022, an estimated 27% of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 worldwide experienced physical or sexual IPV in the past 12 months.
Lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual IPV among women is 30% globally, rising to 38% in least developed countries.
6% of women globally report experiencing sexual violence by an intimate partner in the last 12 months.
Over 640 million women aged 15+ (1 in 3) have faced IPV globally as per 2021 WHO estimates.
In high-income countries, 22% of women report lifetime IPV compared to 25% in low/middle-income.
13% of women worldwide have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner.
Global past-year prevalence of any IPV among women is 13%, affecting 736 million ever-partnered women.
35% of female homicides worldwide are committed by intimate partners.
In 2018, 50,000 women were killed by intimate partners or family members globally.

Prevalence Rates Interpretation

If you find yourself thinking "one in three women" is just a distant statistic, remember that it translates to a crowded silence where over 640 million voices have been taught that their own home is a place they must survive.

Regional Variations

Lifetime IPV prevalence for women in Africa is 33%, highest regionally.
In South-East Asia, 21% of women aged 15-49 report past-year physical/sexual IPV.
Eastern Mediterranean region shows 31% lifetime IPV among ever-partnered women.
Americas have 25% lifetime prevalence of IPV for women, per WHO multi-country study.
Europe reports 23% of women experiencing physical/sexual IPV lifetime.
Western Pacific region: 20% past-year IPV prevalence among women 15-49.
In low-income African countries, 41% of women face lifetime IPV.
Latin America and Caribbean: 29.5% annual IPV rate for women.
Middle East and North Africa: 28% lifetime physical IPV for women.
Oceania (Pacific Islands): up to 68% lifetime IPV prevalence in some studies.
81% of women aged 15-49 in Ethiopia report lifetime IPV.
In India, 31.9% of ever-married women aged 15-49 experienced spousal violence.
Bangladesh: 54% of women report physical violence from husbands ever.
Brazil: 10% past-year IPV among women aged 15+.
In the US (as global comparator), 1 in 4 women experience severe physical IPV.
Russia: 16,000 women killed by partners annually, highest in Europe.
South Africa: 55% lifetime IPV for women per national survey.
Australia: 23% of women report partner violence post-separation.
China: 24.7% of women experienced IPV in lifetime per 2018 study.

Regional Variations Interpretation

The map is painted with a grim and varied palette of violence, but every statistic is a shared, global stain, revealing that no corner of the world has earned the right to look away from the epidemic of intimate partner violence.

Victim Demographics

Globally, women aged 15-24 are 1.5 times more likely to experience IPV than older women.
42% of girls aged 15-19 in low/middle-income countries face IPV.
Men comprise 10% of global IPV victims, mostly physical violence.
Pregnant women have 28% higher risk of IPV globally.
Rural women experience 1.4 times higher IPV rates than urban (global meta-analysis).
Women with disabilities face 40% higher lifetime IPV prevalence.
LGBTQ+ women report 44% lifetime IPV rates vs 35% heterosexual.
Adolescent girls (15-19) in conflict zones: 50%+ IPV exposure.
Low-education women: 2x IPV risk compared to higher education.
Indigenous women globally face 1.5-2x higher IPV victimization.
Women in polygamous marriages: 38% IPV prevalence vs 26% monogamous.
Migrant women: 40% higher IPV reporting in host countries.
Elderly women (60+): 10-15% experience late-life IPV globally.
Sex workers: 45-75% lifetime IPV in global studies.
Women with children: 32% IPV vs 25% childless.
Transgender individuals: 31% past-year IPV victimization.
Single mothers: 2.5x higher IPV rates globally.
Women in informal settlements: 35% annual IPV exposure.

Victim Demographics Interpretation

This horrifying statistical mosaic paints a global portrait not of random acts, but of a calculated, systemic pandemic that deliberately targets vulnerability, youth, poverty, and difference at every turn.

Sources & References

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