GITNUXREPORT 2026

Women Health Statistics

Pregnancy complications kill hundreds of thousands of preventable maternal deaths worldwide.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Approximately 1 in 8 women worldwide will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Statistic 2

In 2020, breast cancer caused 685,000 deaths globally among women.

Statistic 3

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths in 2022.

Statistic 4

Ovarian cancer accounts for 3% of all female cancers, with 313,959 new cases globally in 2020.

Statistic 5

In the U.S., endometrial cancer incidence rose by 2% annually from 2007-2015 among postmenopausal women.

Statistic 6

Globally, 90% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, preventable by vaccination.

Statistic 7

Breast cancer survival rate is 90% when detected early in high-income countries (2023).

Statistic 8

In low-income countries, only 20% of women with breast cancer survive 5 years post-diagnosis.

Statistic 9

Uterine cancer caused 81,000 deaths worldwide in 2020.

Statistic 10

HPV vaccination could prevent 90% of cervical cancers if coverage reaches 90%.

Statistic 11

In the EU, breast cancer represents 29.5% of all cancers in women (2020).

Statistic 12

Globally, vulvar cancer has an incidence of 3.7 per 100,000 women.

Statistic 13

In the U.S., Black women have a 40% higher breast cancer mortality rate than White women.

Statistic 14

Colorectal cancer is the third most common in women globally, with 9.5% lifetime risk.

Statistic 15

Lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer in high-income countries now.

Statistic 16

Globally, 570,000 women die from cervical cancer annually without adequate screening.

Statistic 17

In Australia, breast screening detects 75% of cancers early (2022).

Statistic 18

In 2020, breast cancer represented 15% of all female cancer deaths worldwide.

Statistic 19

Cervical cancer screening uptake is only 23% lifetime in low-income countries.

Statistic 20

Ovarian cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 49% in the U.S. (2012-2018).

Statistic 21

In India, breast cancer incidence rose 33% from 2012-2020.

Statistic 22

Globally, 2.3 million new breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2020.

Statistic 23

Mammography screening reduces breast cancer mortality by 20-40% in women 40-74.

Statistic 24

HPV-related cancers cause 620,000 deaths yearly, mostly cervical in women.

Statistic 25

In the UK, 55,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer annually (2023).

Statistic 26

Endometrial cancer 5-year survival is 81% when localized.

Statistic 27

Globally, anal cancer incidence higher in women with HIV (36 per 100,000).

Statistic 28

In Canada, 28,600 women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.

Statistic 29

Liver cancer mortality higher in women in Asia due to hepatitis.

Statistic 30

Thyroid cancer incidence doubled in women 1992-2012 in U.S.

Statistic 31

Globally, 604,000 new vulva cancer cases expected by 2040.

Statistic 32

In the U.S., 13,310 ovarian cancer deaths in women in 2023 estimate.

Statistic 33

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., killing 1 in 5.

Statistic 34

Women develop heart disease 10 years later than men on average.

Statistic 35

Diabetes affects 422 million adults globally, with women facing higher mortality post-50.

Statistic 36

Osteoporosis causes 9 million fractures yearly, 80% in women.

Statistic 37

Rheumatoid arthritis is 2-3 times more common in women.

Statistic 38

Globally, 1.28 billion adults are obese, women having higher rates in 77 countries.

Statistic 39

In the U.S., 50% of women over 50 have osteopenia, precursor to osteoporosis.

Statistic 40

Chronic kidney disease affects 10% of women worldwide.

Statistic 41

Multiple sclerosis is 2-3 times more prevalent in women.

Statistic 42

In Europe, 24% of women aged 45-74 have hypertension.

Statistic 43

Alzheimer's disease affects women two-thirds of cases in the U.S.

Statistic 44

Globally, COPD causes 3.23 million deaths yearly, more women dying now than men.

Statistic 45

Thyroid disorders affect 20% of women at some point.

Statistic 46

In the U.S., 38% of women have metabolic syndrome.

Statistic 47

Fibromyalgia affects 2-8% of population, 80-90% women.

Statistic 48

In 2022, 17.4% of U.S. women aged 18+ smoked cigarettes

Statistic 49

Globally, anemia affects 40% of pregnant women and 30% of women 15-49.

Statistic 50

Approximately 1 in 10 women aged 60+ have osteoporosis worldwide.

Statistic 51

In the U.S., stroke kills more women than men annually.

Statistic 52

Globally, 1.71 billion adults are overweight, with women 18% more likely post-menopause.

Statistic 53

Heart disease risk underestimated in women, with 90% of women having at least one risk factor.

Statistic 54

Globally, 2 million women die yearly from CVDs.

Statistic 55

In the U.S., 44% of female cancer survivors have heart disease risk factors.

Statistic 56

Osteoporosis fractures cost $19 billion annually in U.S., mostly women.

Statistic 57

Type 2 diabetes doubles heart disease risk in women more than men.

Statistic 58

In Europe, 37% of women are obese vs. 28% men (2022).

Statistic 59

Lupus affects women 9 times more than men.

Statistic 60

Globally, 462 million adults have diabetes, women 51%.

Statistic 61

In the U.S., 1 in 3 women develop gallstones.

Statistic 62

Sjogren's syndrome 9:1 female to male ratio.

Statistic 63

In Canada, 1.6 million women live with arthritis.

Statistic 64

Endometriosis linked to chronic pain in 176 million women.

Statistic 65

Globally, iron-deficiency anemia affects 500 million women.

Statistic 66

In the UK, 3 million women have urinary incontinence.

Statistic 67

Migraine affects 1 in 4 women lifetime.

Statistic 68

Globally, in 2022, an estimated 287,000 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, with 70% occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

Statistic 69

In the United States, the maternal mortality rate reached 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, a 40% increase from 2019.

Statistic 70

About 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for one-third of global cases in 2023.

Statistic 71

In 2020, postpartum hemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, responsible for 27% of deaths.

Statistic 72

The U.S. maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 per 100,000 live births in 2021, 2.6 times higher than for White women.

Statistic 73

Globally, 303,000 newborns die within the first month of life each year, with 2 million stillbirths annually as of 2023.

Statistic 74

In low-income countries, only 59% of women receive at least four antenatal care visits, compared to 91% in high-income countries in 2022.

Statistic 75

Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death in children under 5, affecting 13.4% of births globally in 2020.

Statistic 76

In 2021, eclampsia and other hypertensive disorders accounted for 14% of maternal deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Statistic 77

Skilled birth attendance covers only 66% of births in the least developed countries as of 2023.

Statistic 78

Globally, 800 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth in 2023 estimates.

Statistic 79

In the EU, the maternal mortality ratio was 16 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020.

Statistic 80

Neonatal mortality rate stands at 17 deaths per 1,000 live births globally in 2022.

Statistic 81

In India, maternal mortality ratio declined to 97 per 100,000 live births in 2018-20 from 130 in 2014-16.

Statistic 82

Postpartum depression affects approximately 10-15% of women worldwide after childbirth.

Statistic 83

Depression affects 280 million people worldwide, with women twice as likely as men to experience it.

Statistic 84

In the U.S., 1 in 5 women experience a depressive episode annually.

Statistic 85

Anxiety disorders affect 4% of the global population, women comprising 60% of cases.

Statistic 86

Postpartum depression occurs in 10-20% of mothers in high-income countries.

Statistic 87

Globally, 10% of pregnant women and 13% postpartum experience mental disorders.

Statistic 88

In the U.S., women are 50% more likely to experience major depression than men.

Statistic 89

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, affecting 9% of global population with women predominant.

Statistic 90

Bipolar disorder affects 2% of women, with higher rates of rapid cycling.

Statistic 91

PTSD prevalence is 8% lifetime in women vs. 4% in men in the U.S.

Statistic 92

In the UK, 1 in 4 women experience mental health problems yearly.

Statistic 93

Perimenopausal depression risk increases 2-4 times for women.

Statistic 94

Globally, suicide accounts for 2.5% of female deaths aged 15-44.

Statistic 95

In Australia, 40% of women report high levels of psychological distress (2022).

Statistic 96

Borderline personality disorder is diagnosed 75% more in women.

Statistic 97

Schizophrenia onset in women averages 5 years later than men.

Statistic 98

Depression is 50% more common in women than men globally.

Statistic 99

In the U.S., 12.8% of women had serious mental illness in 2021.

Statistic 100

Globally, 264 million women suffer from anxiety disorders.

Statistic 101

Perinatal mental health issues affect 1 in 5 mothers worldwide.

Statistic 102

In Europe, 42% of women report mental health decline post-COVID.

Statistic 103

OCD affects women 1.8 times more than men lifetime.

Statistic 104

In Australia, women suicide rate is 45% of total suicides despite being 50% population.

Statistic 105

PMDD affects 3-8% of menstruating women severely.

Statistic 106

Globally, 75% of people with eating disorders are female.

Statistic 107

In the U.S., 25% of women take antidepressants vs. 13% men.

Statistic 108

Schizophrenia in women peaks at 25-35 years, later than men.

Statistic 109

In the UK, 1 in 3 women experience domestic abuse linked to mental health.

Statistic 110

Globally, female genital mutilation impacts 200 million women, exacerbating mental trauma.

Statistic 111

Globally, infertility affects 1 in 6 people, with 48 million couples and 186 million individuals impacted in 2023.

Statistic 112

In the U.S., 11% of women aged 15-44 have impaired fecundity in 2022 data.

Statistic 113

Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women (190 million) worldwide.

Statistic 114

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) impacts 8-13% of women of reproductive age globally.

Statistic 115

Globally, 214 million women in developing regions have an unmet need for modern contraception in 2023.

Statistic 116

In sub-Saharan Africa, contraceptive prevalence among married women is only 29% as of 2022.

Statistic 117

Uterine fibroids affect up to 80% of women by age 50, with 20-40% experiencing symptoms.

Statistic 118

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) results in 1 million outpatient visits annually in the U.S.

Statistic 119

Globally, 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence, mostly by intimate partners, impacting reproductive health.

Statistic 120

In the U.S., 16.9% of women aged 15-49 used emergency contraception in the past year (2015-2019).

Statistic 121

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects up to 85% of menstruating women, with 20-40% experiencing severe symptoms.

Statistic 122

Globally, 45% of women aged 15-49 are using modern contraceptive methods (2023).

Statistic 123

Cervical ectropion affects 40-50% of women during reproductive years.

Statistic 124

In Europe, 23% of women report infertility issues in their lifetime.

Statistic 125

Ovarian cysts occur in 8% of premenopausal women annually.

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Despite these staggering statistics, the story of women's health is not one of despair but a call to action, revealing deep-seated global inequalities and systemic failures that demand our urgent attention and collective resolve.

Key Takeaways

Globally, in 2022, an estimated 287,000 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, with 70% occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
In the United States, the maternal mortality rate reached 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, a 40% increase from 2019.
About 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for one-third of global cases in 2023.
Globally, infertility affects 1 in 6 people, with 48 million couples and 186 million individuals impacted in 2023.
In the U.S., 11% of women aged 15-44 have impaired fecundity in 2022 data.
Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women (190 million) worldwide.
Approximately 1 in 8 women worldwide will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
In 2020, breast cancer caused 685,000 deaths globally among women.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths in 2022.
Depression affects 280 million people worldwide, with women twice as likely as men to experience it.
In the U.S., 1 in 5 women experience a depressive episode annually.
Anxiety disorders affect 4% of the global population, women comprising 60% of cases.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., killing 1 in 5.
Women develop heart disease 10 years later than men on average.
Diabetes affects 422 million adults globally, with women facing higher mortality post-50.

Pregnancy complications kill hundreds of thousands of preventable maternal deaths worldwide.

Cancer Statistics

Approximately 1 in 8 women worldwide will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
In 2020, breast cancer caused 685,000 deaths globally among women.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths in 2022.
Ovarian cancer accounts for 3% of all female cancers, with 313,959 new cases globally in 2020.
In the U.S., endometrial cancer incidence rose by 2% annually from 2007-2015 among postmenopausal women.
Globally, 90% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, preventable by vaccination.
Breast cancer survival rate is 90% when detected early in high-income countries (2023).
In low-income countries, only 20% of women with breast cancer survive 5 years post-diagnosis.
Uterine cancer caused 81,000 deaths worldwide in 2020.
HPV vaccination could prevent 90% of cervical cancers if coverage reaches 90%.
In the EU, breast cancer represents 29.5% of all cancers in women (2020).
Globally, vulvar cancer has an incidence of 3.7 per 100,000 women.
In the U.S., Black women have a 40% higher breast cancer mortality rate than White women.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common in women globally, with 9.5% lifetime risk.
Lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer in high-income countries now.
Globally, 570,000 women die from cervical cancer annually without adequate screening.
In Australia, breast screening detects 75% of cancers early (2022).
In 2020, breast cancer represented 15% of all female cancer deaths worldwide.
Cervical cancer screening uptake is only 23% lifetime in low-income countries.
Ovarian cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 49% in the U.S. (2012-2018).
In India, breast cancer incidence rose 33% from 2012-2020.
Globally, 2.3 million new breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2020.
Mammography screening reduces breast cancer mortality by 20-40% in women 40-74.
HPV-related cancers cause 620,000 deaths yearly, mostly cervical in women.
In the UK, 55,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer annually (2023).
Endometrial cancer 5-year survival is 81% when localized.
Globally, anal cancer incidence higher in women with HIV (36 per 100,000).
In Canada, 28,600 women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.
Liver cancer mortality higher in women in Asia due to hepatitis.
Thyroid cancer incidence doubled in women 1992-2012 in U.S.
Globally, 604,000 new vulva cancer cases expected by 2040.
In the U.S., 13,310 ovarian cancer deaths in women in 2023 estimate.

Cancer Statistics Interpretation

These statistics reveal a brutal geography of inequality, where a woman's survival hinges not on biology alone but on the zip code of her birth, the color of her skin, and the tragic, preventable gaps in global healthcare access.

Chronic Diseases

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., killing 1 in 5.
Women develop heart disease 10 years later than men on average.
Diabetes affects 422 million adults globally, with women facing higher mortality post-50.
Osteoporosis causes 9 million fractures yearly, 80% in women.
Rheumatoid arthritis is 2-3 times more common in women.
Globally, 1.28 billion adults are obese, women having higher rates in 77 countries.
In the U.S., 50% of women over 50 have osteopenia, precursor to osteoporosis.
Chronic kidney disease affects 10% of women worldwide.
Multiple sclerosis is 2-3 times more prevalent in women.
In Europe, 24% of women aged 45-74 have hypertension.
Alzheimer's disease affects women two-thirds of cases in the U.S.
Globally, COPD causes 3.23 million deaths yearly, more women dying now than men.
Thyroid disorders affect 20% of women at some point.
In the U.S., 38% of women have metabolic syndrome.
Fibromyalgia affects 2-8% of population, 80-90% women.
In 2022, 17.4% of U.S. women aged 18+ smoked cigarettes
Globally, anemia affects 40% of pregnant women and 30% of women 15-49.
Approximately 1 in 10 women aged 60+ have osteoporosis worldwide.
In the U.S., stroke kills more women than men annually.
Globally, 1.71 billion adults are overweight, with women 18% more likely post-menopause.
Heart disease risk underestimated in women, with 90% of women having at least one risk factor.
Globally, 2 million women die yearly from CVDs.
In the U.S., 44% of female cancer survivors have heart disease risk factors.
Osteoporosis fractures cost $19 billion annually in U.S., mostly women.
Type 2 diabetes doubles heart disease risk in women more than men.
In Europe, 37% of women are obese vs. 28% men (2022).
Lupus affects women 9 times more than men.
Globally, 462 million adults have diabetes, women 51%.
In the U.S., 1 in 3 women develop gallstones.
Sjogren's syndrome 9:1 female to male ratio.
In Canada, 1.6 million women live with arthritis.
Endometriosis linked to chronic pain in 176 million women.
Globally, iron-deficiency anemia affects 500 million women.
In the UK, 3 million women have urinary incontinence.
Migraine affects 1 in 4 women lifetime.

Chronic Diseases Interpretation

While men may statistically win the race to the grave, women are burdened with a far more elaborate and costly subscription service to get there, facing a relentless catalog of chronic conditions that society has historically downplayed.

Maternal and Perinatal Health

Globally, in 2022, an estimated 287,000 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, with 70% occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
In the United States, the maternal mortality rate reached 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, a 40% increase from 2019.
About 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for one-third of global cases in 2023.
In 2020, postpartum hemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, responsible for 27% of deaths.
The U.S. maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 per 100,000 live births in 2021, 2.6 times higher than for White women.
Globally, 303,000 newborns die within the first month of life each year, with 2 million stillbirths annually as of 2023.
In low-income countries, only 59% of women receive at least four antenatal care visits, compared to 91% in high-income countries in 2022.
Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death in children under 5, affecting 13.4% of births globally in 2020.
In 2021, eclampsia and other hypertensive disorders accounted for 14% of maternal deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Skilled birth attendance covers only 66% of births in the least developed countries as of 2023.
Globally, 800 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth in 2023 estimates.
In the EU, the maternal mortality ratio was 16 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020.
Neonatal mortality rate stands at 17 deaths per 1,000 live births globally in 2022.
In India, maternal mortality ratio declined to 97 per 100,000 live births in 2018-20 from 130 in 2014-16.
Postpartum depression affects approximately 10-15% of women worldwide after childbirth.

Maternal and Perinatal Health Interpretation

While the idea of "natural" childbirth is often romanticized, these grim statistics paint a starkly different reality, revealing that a woman's survival in pregnancy is still largely a geographical and racial lottery where basic, preventable tragedies claim a life every two minutes.

Mental Health

Depression affects 280 million people worldwide, with women twice as likely as men to experience it.
In the U.S., 1 in 5 women experience a depressive episode annually.
Anxiety disorders affect 4% of the global population, women comprising 60% of cases.
Postpartum depression occurs in 10-20% of mothers in high-income countries.
Globally, 10% of pregnant women and 13% postpartum experience mental disorders.
In the U.S., women are 50% more likely to experience major depression than men.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, affecting 9% of global population with women predominant.
Bipolar disorder affects 2% of women, with higher rates of rapid cycling.
PTSD prevalence is 8% lifetime in women vs. 4% in men in the U.S.
In the UK, 1 in 4 women experience mental health problems yearly.
Perimenopausal depression risk increases 2-4 times for women.
Globally, suicide accounts for 2.5% of female deaths aged 15-44.
In Australia, 40% of women report high levels of psychological distress (2022).
Borderline personality disorder is diagnosed 75% more in women.
Schizophrenia onset in women averages 5 years later than men.
Depression is 50% more common in women than men globally.
In the U.S., 12.8% of women had serious mental illness in 2021.
Globally, 264 million women suffer from anxiety disorders.
Perinatal mental health issues affect 1 in 5 mothers worldwide.
In Europe, 42% of women report mental health decline post-COVID.
OCD affects women 1.8 times more than men lifetime.
In Australia, women suicide rate is 45% of total suicides despite being 50% population.
PMDD affects 3-8% of menstruating women severely.
Globally, 75% of people with eating disorders are female.
In the U.S., 25% of women take antidepressants vs. 13% men.
Schizophrenia in women peaks at 25-35 years, later than men.
In the UK, 1 in 3 women experience domestic abuse linked to mental health.
Globally, female genital mutilation impacts 200 million women, exacerbating mental trauma.

Mental Health Interpretation

These statistics paint a grim and undeniable portrait: women are shouldering a disproportionate, often biologically and socially amplified, burden of mental illness worldwide.

Reproductive Health

Globally, infertility affects 1 in 6 people, with 48 million couples and 186 million individuals impacted in 2023.
In the U.S., 11% of women aged 15-44 have impaired fecundity in 2022 data.
Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women (190 million) worldwide.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) impacts 8-13% of women of reproductive age globally.
Globally, 214 million women in developing regions have an unmet need for modern contraception in 2023.
In sub-Saharan Africa, contraceptive prevalence among married women is only 29% as of 2022.
Uterine fibroids affect up to 80% of women by age 50, with 20-40% experiencing symptoms.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) results in 1 million outpatient visits annually in the U.S.
Globally, 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence, mostly by intimate partners, impacting reproductive health.
In the U.S., 16.9% of women aged 15-49 used emergency contraception in the past year (2015-2019).
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects up to 85% of menstruating women, with 20-40% experiencing severe symptoms.
Globally, 45% of women aged 15-49 are using modern contraceptive methods (2023).
Cervical ectropion affects 40-50% of women during reproductive years.
In Europe, 23% of women report infertility issues in their lifetime.
Ovarian cysts occur in 8% of premenopausal women annually.

Reproductive Health Interpretation

The sheer volume of these statistics makes it agonizingly clear that the so-called "female reproductive system" is less of a graceful biological marvel and more of a wildly popular, yet profoundly mismanaged, global infrastructure project plagued by universal access issues, routine maintenance crises, and far too many unauthorized occupants.

Sources & References

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