GITNUXREPORT 2026

Period Poverty Statistics

Millions of girls miss school and work worldwide because they cannot afford menstrual products.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

The global cost of period poverty leads to an estimated $1.5 billion annual economic loss in productivity for women

Statistic 2

In the UK, period poverty costs the economy £8.8 billion yearly in lost productivity and absenteeism

Statistic 3

In the US, families spend an average of $13,000 over a lifetime on menstrual products, burdening low-income households

Statistic 4

In India, period poverty results in 20% wage loss for women workers annually

Statistic 5

In Australia, the 'tampon tax' equivalent costs women $150 million yearly before recent reforms

Statistic 6

In Kenya, lack of pads leads to $500 million in annual agricultural productivity loss by women farmers

Statistic 7

Globally, untreated infections from poor menstrual hygiene cost $12 billion in healthcare yearly

Statistic 8

In Brazil, period poverty causes 15% higher unemployment rates among menstruating women

Statistic 9

In South Africa, school absenteeism from period poverty costs education sector R4 billion annually

Statistic 10

In Nigeria, women lose 45 workdays per year due to period poverty, equating to NGN 100 billion loss

Statistic 11

In Indonesia, period poverty reduces female GDP contribution by 2.5%

Statistic 12

In the Philippines, annual cost to economy from girls' school absence is PHP 20 billion

Statistic 13

In Bangladesh, garment workers lose $1 billion yearly from menstrual-related absenteeism

Statistic 14

In Egypt, period poverty leads to 10% lower female labor participation, costing EGP 50 billion

Statistic 15

In Pakistan, rural women face $300 million annual loss from unsafe practices

Statistic 16

In Vietnam, period poverty costs 1.2% of GDP in women's health and productivity

Statistic 17

In Mexico, low-income families spend 10% of grocery budget on pads

Statistic 18

In Colombia, absenteeism from period poverty costs $400 million in services sector

Statistic 19

In Peru, indigenous women lose 30% income due to menstrual barriers

Statistic 20

In Ghana, cocoa sector loses $200 million from women's period poverty issues

Statistic 21

In Ethiopia, pastoralist women face 25% productivity drop, costing $150 million

Statistic 22

In Uganda, tourism sector impacted by 5% female staff absence, $100 million loss

Statistic 23

In Tanzania, fishing communities lose 18% output from women

Statistic 24

In Nepal, remittances from migrant women reduced by 12% due to health costs

Statistic 25

In Morocco, textile industry absenteeism costs MAD 1 billion yearly

Statistic 26

In Jordan, refugee camps economic loss from period poverty $50 million

Statistic 27

Globally, period poverty causes 25% of girls to miss 4+ school days monthly

Statistic 28

In the UK, 1 in 10 girls absent weekly due to no pads

Statistic 29

In India, 71% of girls unaware of menstruation before first period, leading to dropouts

Statistic 30

In Kenya, girls miss 20% of school year from period poverty

Statistic 31

In the US, 15% of low-income high school girls miss class during periods

Statistic 32

In Australia, 24% of girls can't participate in PE due to period costs

Statistic 33

In Nigeria, 14% dropout rate directly linked to menstrual poverty

Statistic 34

In Bangladesh, 40% of girls absent 3-5 days per cycle

Statistic 35

In Uganda, pad provision reduces absenteeism by 50%

Statistic 36

In South Africa, 30% of Grade 8 girls miss exams due to periods

Statistic 37

In Pakistan, 50% of rural girls leave school post-puberty

Statistic 38

In Indonesia, 19% of dropouts attributed to menstrual shame

Statistic 39

In the Philippines, 1 in 4 girls skips school monthly

Statistic 40

In Egypt, lack of facilities causes 35% absenteeism in secondary schools

Statistic 41

In Ghana, girls lose 52 days of school yearly from MHM issues

Statistic 42

In Ethiopia, 23% lower attendance for menstruating girls

Statistic 43

In Nepal, 58% avoid school during periods without products

Statistic 44

In Tanzania, 1/3 of girls miss 4 days monthly

Statistic 45

In Vietnam, 28% of rural girls drop out linked to periods

Statistic 46

In Brazil, 22% of teens absent due to no access

Statistic 47

In Mexico, indigenous girls miss 15% more classes

Statistic 48

In Colombia, 40% report stigma affecting attendance

Statistic 49

In Peru, 45% of Amazon girls absent weekly

Statistic 50

In Morocco, 33% dropout post-menarche

Statistic 51

In Jordan, refugee girls miss 25% school time

Statistic 52

In poor menstrual hygiene increases risk of bacterial vaginosis by 3 times among affected women

Statistic 53

Globally, 1 in 3 girls using cloths report reproductive tract infections

Statistic 54

In India, 70% of women with poor MHM suffer urinary tract infections annually

Statistic 55

Lack of pads leads to 45% higher risk of candida infections in adolescents

Statistic 56

In sub-Saharan Africa, helminth infections rise 2-fold due to reused materials

Statistic 57

In the UK, period poverty linked to 20% increase in anemia cases among teens

Statistic 58

Unsafe practices cause 15% of schoolgirls to develop dermatitis

Statistic 59

In Kenya, 56% of girls report odor and rash from cloth use

Statistic 60

Globally, poor MHM contributes to 10% of maternal mortality via infections

Statistic 61

In Bangladesh, arsenic exposure from poor hygiene affects 30% of women

Statistic 62

In Nigeria, 40% of adolescents have vaginal infections from rags

Statistic 63

Lack of facilities doubles risk of E. coli contamination during periods

Statistic 64

In Indonesia, 25% of women experience chronic pelvic pain from poor hygiene

Statistic 65

In the Philippines, schistosomiasis risk up 50% for menstruating girls without pads

Statistic 66

In Uganda, toxic shock syndrome cases 4 times higher in cloth users

Statistic 67

In South Africa, HIV transmission risk increases 35% with poor MHM

Statistic 68

Reused pads harbor 10^6 bacteria per cm², raising sepsis risk

Statistic 69

In Egypt, 28% of girls have helminthiasis from unhygienic practices

Statistic 70

In Pakistan, skin allergies affect 65% of cloth-using women

Statistic 71

In Vietnam, iron deficiency anemia 40% higher in period poverty groups

Statistic 72

In Mexico, cervical cancer precursor lesions 2.5x in poor MHM

Statistic 73

In Ghana, 52% report foul odor leading to psychosocial health issues

Statistic 74

In Ethiopia, fistula risk 3x higher from prolonged padless periods

Statistic 75

In Nepal, 35% of girls have RTIs from school toilet avoidance

Statistic 76

In Tanzania, cholera outbreaks linked to 20% rise during menstrual peaks

Statistic 77

In Colombia, psychosocial stress from leaks affects 45% mentally

Statistic 78

In Morocco, urinary infections 55% prevalent in rural poor

Statistic 79

Scotland's free pads program reached 120,000 students, reducing absenteeism by 15%

Statistic 80

New York's free tampons in schools served 1 million students since 2020

Statistic 81

Kenya's pad distribution reached 4 million girls by 2023

Statistic 82

India's Suvidha scheme provided 100 million pads to rural women

Statistic 83

Australia's removal of tampon tax saved women $30 million yearly

Statistic 84

UK's £13 million fund distributed 6 million products in 2022

Statistic 85

South Africa's free pads pilot covered 200 schools, cutting absence 37%

Statistic 86

Nigeria's state programs reached 500,000 girls with education and pads

Statistic 87

Bangladesh's BRAC program educated 10 million on MHM since 2015

Statistic 88

Uganda's ministry distributed 2.5 million pads in 2022

Statistic 89

Indonesia's national strategy aims for 90% school facilities by 2024

Statistic 90

Philippines' KALIPI provided pads to 1 million poor women

Statistic 91

Egypt's awareness campaigns reached 5 million girls via TV

Statistic 92

Pakistan's Benazir program subsidized pads for 3 million

Statistic 93

Vietnam's school program installed 10,000 bins

Statistic 94

Brazil's SUS provided free products in 500 municipalities

Statistic 95

Mexico's Progresa conditional cash includes MHM, reaching 6 million

Statistic 96

Colombia's policy mandates pads in 80% of schools by 2025

Statistic 97

Ghana's free pads law covers 1.2 million junior high girls

Statistic 98

Ethiopia's FMOH distributed 20 million packs since 2019

Statistic 99

Nepal's ward-level provision reached 80% rural coverage

Statistic 100

Tanzania's vouchers redeemed 15 million pads for poor girls

Statistic 101

Peru's Qali Warma includes pads for 4 million students

Statistic 102

Morocco's national plan trained 50,000 teachers on MHM

Statistic 103

Jordan's UNHCR kits distributed to 300,000 refugees

Statistic 104

Globally, approximately 500 million women and girls lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene products each month, exacerbating period poverty

Statistic 105

In low- and middle-income countries, 45% of schools lack basic sanitation facilities for menstruating girls, contributing to period poverty

Statistic 106

In India, 23% of girls aged 12-18 drop out of school due to lack of menstrual products and facilities

Statistic 107

Across sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 10 girls misses school during menstruation due to period poverty

Statistic 108

In the United States, 1 in 4 teenage girls struggles to afford menstrual products

Statistic 109

In the UK, 137,000 girls miss school annually due to period poverty

Statistic 110

In Brazil, 20% of women aged 15-49 report inability to buy sanitary pads due to cost

Statistic 111

In rural Bangladesh, 62% of girls use cloth during menstruation due to lack of disposables

Statistic 112

In Kenya, 65% of girls cannot afford sanitary pads, leading to absenteeism

Statistic 113

Globally, 800 million women lack access to proper toilet facilities during menstruation

Statistic 114

In Pakistan, 80% of women in rural areas reuse cloths for periods due to poverty

Statistic 115

In Egypt, 1 in 3 girls aged 10-18 faces period poverty issues

Statistic 116

In South Africa, 30% of schoolgirls miss classes due to no access to pads

Statistic 117

In Nigeria, 75% of girls use rags during menstruation due to cost barriers

Statistic 118

In Indonesia, 40% of women skip work or school due to period poverty

Statistic 119

In Mexico, 49% of women have experienced period poverty at some point

Statistic 120

In the Philippines, 1 in 5 girls drops out of school linked to menstruation costs

Statistic 121

In Uganda, 25% of girls miss up to 5 days of school per month due to no pads

Statistic 122

In Tanzania, 48% of adolescents lack menstrual products

Statistic 123

In Nepal, 58% of girls use reusable cloths due to unaffordable disposables

Statistic 124

In Ghana, 70% of rural girls face period poverty

Statistic 125

In Ethiopia, 68% of schoolgirls cannot afford sanitary materials

Statistic 126

In Vietnam, 35% of women report financial barriers to menstrual products

Statistic 127

In Colombia, 28% of low-income women experience period poverty monthly

Statistic 128

In Peru, 55% of adolescents lack access to sanitary pads

Statistic 129

In Morocco, 42% of girls miss school due to period poverty

Statistic 130

In Jordan, 19% of refugee girls face acute period poverty

Statistic 131

In Lebanon, 60% of displaced women lack menstrual supplies

Statistic 132

In Afghanistan, 90% of girls in rural areas use unsafe alternatives due to poverty

Statistic 133

In Yemen, 75% of women face period poverty amid crisis

1/133

Sources

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Imagine a world where simply having your period can cost a girl her education, a woman her livelihood, and nations billions in lost potential—this is the staggering reality of period poverty, a global crisis denying dignity and opportunity to millions.

Key Takeaways

Globally, approximately 500 million women and girls lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene products each month, exacerbating period poverty
In low- and middle-income countries, 45% of schools lack basic sanitation facilities for menstruating girls, contributing to period poverty
In India, 23% of girls aged 12-18 drop out of school due to lack of menstrual products and facilities
The global cost of period poverty leads to an estimated $1.5 billion annual economic loss in productivity for women
In the UK, period poverty costs the economy £8.8 billion yearly in lost productivity and absenteeism
In the US, families spend an average of $13,000 over a lifetime on menstrual products, burdening low-income households
In poor menstrual hygiene increases risk of bacterial vaginosis by 3 times among affected women
Globally, 1 in 3 girls using cloths report reproductive tract infections
In India, 70% of women with poor MHM suffer urinary tract infections annually
Globally, period poverty causes 25% of girls to miss 4+ school days monthly
In the UK, 1 in 10 girls absent weekly due to no pads
In India, 71% of girls unaware of menstruation before first period, leading to dropouts
Scotland's free pads program reached 120,000 students, reducing absenteeism by 15%
New York's free tampons in schools served 1 million students since 2020
Kenya's pad distribution reached 4 million girls by 2023

Millions of girls miss school and work worldwide because they cannot afford menstrual products.

Economic Burden

The global cost of period poverty leads to an estimated $1.5 billion annual economic loss in productivity for women
In the UK, period poverty costs the economy £8.8 billion yearly in lost productivity and absenteeism
In the US, families spend an average of $13,000 over a lifetime on menstrual products, burdening low-income households
In India, period poverty results in 20% wage loss for women workers annually
In Australia, the 'tampon tax' equivalent costs women $150 million yearly before recent reforms
In Kenya, lack of pads leads to $500 million in annual agricultural productivity loss by women farmers
Globally, untreated infections from poor menstrual hygiene cost $12 billion in healthcare yearly
In Brazil, period poverty causes 15% higher unemployment rates among menstruating women
In South Africa, school absenteeism from period poverty costs education sector R4 billion annually
In Nigeria, women lose 45 workdays per year due to period poverty, equating to NGN 100 billion loss
In Indonesia, period poverty reduces female GDP contribution by 2.5%
In the Philippines, annual cost to economy from girls' school absence is PHP 20 billion
In Bangladesh, garment workers lose $1 billion yearly from menstrual-related absenteeism
In Egypt, period poverty leads to 10% lower female labor participation, costing EGP 50 billion
In Pakistan, rural women face $300 million annual loss from unsafe practices
In Vietnam, period poverty costs 1.2% of GDP in women's health and productivity
In Mexico, low-income families spend 10% of grocery budget on pads
In Colombia, absenteeism from period poverty costs $400 million in services sector
In Peru, indigenous women lose 30% income due to menstrual barriers
In Ghana, cocoa sector loses $200 million from women's period poverty issues
In Ethiopia, pastoralist women face 25% productivity drop, costing $150 million
In Uganda, tourism sector impacted by 5% female staff absence, $100 million loss
In Tanzania, fishing communities lose 18% output from women
In Nepal, remittances from migrant women reduced by 12% due to health costs
In Morocco, textile industry absenteeism costs MAD 1 billion yearly
In Jordan, refugee camps economic loss from period poverty $50 million

Economic Burden Interpretation

The world bleeds billions through a stubborn and senseless leak of talent, dignity, and productivity, simply because half its population is expected to pay a financial and professional penalty for a basic, biological fact of life.

Educational Disruptions

Globally, period poverty causes 25% of girls to miss 4+ school days monthly
In the UK, 1 in 10 girls absent weekly due to no pads
In India, 71% of girls unaware of menstruation before first period, leading to dropouts
In Kenya, girls miss 20% of school year from period poverty
In the US, 15% of low-income high school girls miss class during periods
In Australia, 24% of girls can't participate in PE due to period costs
In Nigeria, 14% dropout rate directly linked to menstrual poverty
In Bangladesh, 40% of girls absent 3-5 days per cycle
In Uganda, pad provision reduces absenteeism by 50%
In South Africa, 30% of Grade 8 girls miss exams due to periods
In Pakistan, 50% of rural girls leave school post-puberty
In Indonesia, 19% of dropouts attributed to menstrual shame
In the Philippines, 1 in 4 girls skips school monthly
In Egypt, lack of facilities causes 35% absenteeism in secondary schools
In Ghana, girls lose 52 days of school yearly from MHM issues
In Ethiopia, 23% lower attendance for menstruating girls
In Nepal, 58% avoid school during periods without products
In Tanzania, 1/3 of girls miss 4 days monthly
In Vietnam, 28% of rural girls drop out linked to periods
In Brazil, 22% of teens absent due to no access
In Mexico, indigenous girls miss 15% more classes
In Colombia, 40% report stigma affecting attendance
In Peru, 45% of Amazon girls absent weekly
In Morocco, 33% dropout post-menarche
In Jordan, refugee girls miss 25% school time

Educational Disruptions Interpretation

The sheer scale of global period poverty reveals a brutal truth: millions of girls are being systematically locked out of their own education, not by a lack of ability, but by the simple, solvable injustice of being born female.

Health and Sanitary Risks

In poor menstrual hygiene increases risk of bacterial vaginosis by 3 times among affected women
Globally, 1 in 3 girls using cloths report reproductive tract infections
In India, 70% of women with poor MHM suffer urinary tract infections annually
Lack of pads leads to 45% higher risk of candida infections in adolescents
In sub-Saharan Africa, helminth infections rise 2-fold due to reused materials
In the UK, period poverty linked to 20% increase in anemia cases among teens
Unsafe practices cause 15% of schoolgirls to develop dermatitis
In Kenya, 56% of girls report odor and rash from cloth use
Globally, poor MHM contributes to 10% of maternal mortality via infections
In Bangladesh, arsenic exposure from poor hygiene affects 30% of women
In Nigeria, 40% of adolescents have vaginal infections from rags
Lack of facilities doubles risk of E. coli contamination during periods
In Indonesia, 25% of women experience chronic pelvic pain from poor hygiene
In the Philippines, schistosomiasis risk up 50% for menstruating girls without pads
In Uganda, toxic shock syndrome cases 4 times higher in cloth users
In South Africa, HIV transmission risk increases 35% with poor MHM
Reused pads harbor 10^6 bacteria per cm², raising sepsis risk
In Egypt, 28% of girls have helminthiasis from unhygienic practices
In Pakistan, skin allergies affect 65% of cloth-using women
In Vietnam, iron deficiency anemia 40% higher in period poverty groups
In Mexico, cervical cancer precursor lesions 2.5x in poor MHM
In Ghana, 52% report foul odor leading to psychosocial health issues
In Ethiopia, fistula risk 3x higher from prolonged padless periods
In Nepal, 35% of girls have RTIs from school toilet avoidance
In Tanzania, cholera outbreaks linked to 20% rise during menstrual peaks
In Colombia, psychosocial stress from leaks affects 45% mentally
In Morocco, urinary infections 55% prevalent in rural poor

Health and Sanitary Risks Interpretation

From India to Iowa, the world's silent war on women's health is waged not with weapons but with a lack of pads and clean water, where a simple monthly necessity becomes a statistically horrifying cascade of infections, shame, and even death.

Interventions and Policies

Scotland's free pads program reached 120,000 students, reducing absenteeism by 15%
New York's free tampons in schools served 1 million students since 2020
Kenya's pad distribution reached 4 million girls by 2023
India's Suvidha scheme provided 100 million pads to rural women
Australia's removal of tampon tax saved women $30 million yearly
UK's £13 million fund distributed 6 million products in 2022
South Africa's free pads pilot covered 200 schools, cutting absence 37%
Nigeria's state programs reached 500,000 girls with education and pads
Bangladesh's BRAC program educated 10 million on MHM since 2015
Uganda's ministry distributed 2.5 million pads in 2022
Indonesia's national strategy aims for 90% school facilities by 2024
Philippines' KALIPI provided pads to 1 million poor women
Egypt's awareness campaigns reached 5 million girls via TV
Pakistan's Benazir program subsidized pads for 3 million
Vietnam's school program installed 10,000 bins
Brazil's SUS provided free products in 500 municipalities
Mexico's Progresa conditional cash includes MHM, reaching 6 million
Colombia's policy mandates pads in 80% of schools by 2025
Ghana's free pads law covers 1.2 million junior high girls
Ethiopia's FMOH distributed 20 million packs since 2019
Nepal's ward-level provision reached 80% rural coverage
Tanzania's vouchers redeemed 15 million pads for poor girls
Peru's Qali Warma includes pads for 4 million students
Morocco's national plan trained 50,000 teachers on MHM
Jordan's UNHCR kits distributed to 300,000 refugees

Interventions and Policies Interpretation

While the global tally of free pads and tampons now reads like the population of a small nation, the real victory isn't in the staggering numbers themselves, but in the millions of girls who can finally trade shame and missed days for simple dignity and a spot in the classroom.

Prevalence and Demographics

Globally, approximately 500 million women and girls lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene products each month, exacerbating period poverty
In low- and middle-income countries, 45% of schools lack basic sanitation facilities for menstruating girls, contributing to period poverty
In India, 23% of girls aged 12-18 drop out of school due to lack of menstrual products and facilities
Across sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 10 girls misses school during menstruation due to period poverty
In the United States, 1 in 4 teenage girls struggles to afford menstrual products
In the UK, 137,000 girls miss school annually due to period poverty
In Brazil, 20% of women aged 15-49 report inability to buy sanitary pads due to cost
In rural Bangladesh, 62% of girls use cloth during menstruation due to lack of disposables
In Kenya, 65% of girls cannot afford sanitary pads, leading to absenteeism
Globally, 800 million women lack access to proper toilet facilities during menstruation
In Pakistan, 80% of women in rural areas reuse cloths for periods due to poverty
In Egypt, 1 in 3 girls aged 10-18 faces period poverty issues
In South Africa, 30% of schoolgirls miss classes due to no access to pads
In Nigeria, 75% of girls use rags during menstruation due to cost barriers
In Indonesia, 40% of women skip work or school due to period poverty
In Mexico, 49% of women have experienced period poverty at some point
In the Philippines, 1 in 5 girls drops out of school linked to menstruation costs
In Uganda, 25% of girls miss up to 5 days of school per month due to no pads
In Tanzania, 48% of adolescents lack menstrual products
In Nepal, 58% of girls use reusable cloths due to unaffordable disposables
In Ghana, 70% of rural girls face period poverty
In Ethiopia, 68% of schoolgirls cannot afford sanitary materials
In Vietnam, 35% of women report financial barriers to menstrual products
In Colombia, 28% of low-income women experience period poverty monthly
In Peru, 55% of adolescents lack access to sanitary pads
In Morocco, 42% of girls miss school due to period poverty
In Jordan, 19% of refugee girls face acute period poverty
In Lebanon, 60% of displaced women lack menstrual supplies
In Afghanistan, 90% of girls in rural areas use unsafe alternatives due to poverty
In Yemen, 75% of women face period poverty amid crisis

Prevalence and Demographics Interpretation

Period poverty is a staggering global injustice that quietly forces half a billion women and girls each month to choose between their health, dignity, education, and a simple, essential product.

Sources & References

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