What is the most common type of anemia in India?

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional cause of anemia worldwide, and this holds especially true for India where millions suffer from this preventable condition. The persistent burden of anemia in India, particularly among women and children, makes understanding its root causes a critical public health priority.

Quick Summary

Iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent type in India, driven by inadequate diet, poor absorption, and high physiological demand during certain life stages. Effective public health strategies must address nutritional gaps, coexisting deficiencies like vitamin B12, and underlying health factors to make a significant impact.

Key Points

Prevalence: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia in India, with high prevalence rates observed in children and women.
Key Demographic: Toddlers, adolescent girls, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to anemia due to high iron requirements.
Contributing Factors: Besides iron deficiency, widespread vitamin B12 deficiency, parasitic infections, and poor absorption also contribute significantly to the anemia burden.
Government Intervention: The Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy is the primary national program addressing anemia through IFA supplementation, deworming, and fortification.
Management: Combating anemia requires a multi-pronged approach, including dietary diversification, nutrient supplementation, improved hygiene, and regular health monitoring.

Iron Deficiency Anemia: The Most Prevalent Type in India

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is overwhelmingly identified as the most common type of anemia affecting the Indian population. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-2021) and other meta-analyses highlight the high prevalence across different demographics, including toddlers, adolescent girls, and women of reproductive age. For instance, a meta-analysis covering studies from 1995 to 2023 reported a prevalence of 69% among toddlers and 53% among young and middle-aged adults in India. The widespread nature of IDA in India is a complex public health challenge influenced by a combination of dietary habits, physiological demands, and socioeconomic conditions.

Root Causes of High Iron Deficiency Prevalence

The high prevalence of iron deficiency in India is a result of multiple factors:

Inadequate Dietary Iron Intake: Plant-based diets, common in India, contain less bioavailable iron.
Poor Iron Bioavailability: Substances in common foods like tea and coffee inhibit iron absorption.
Increased Physiological Demand: Women and adolescent girls have higher iron needs due to menstruation and pregnancy.
Parasitic Infestations: Hookworm and similar infections lead to chronic blood loss.
Infections and Chronic Diseases: Conditions like malaria can interfere with iron metabolism.

The Overlooked Threat: Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Beyond iron, vitamin B12 deficiency is also a significant contributor to anemia in India, particularly in urban areas. This is often linked to low intake in vegetarian diets and absorption issues. While iron and folate have been national program focuses, B12 deficiency has sometimes been less prioritized despite high prevalence.

A Comparison of Common Nutritional Anemia Types in India


Feature	Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)	Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia	Thalassemia (Inherited)
Primary Cause	Inadequate dietary iron, poor absorption, increased demand, blood loss.	Low dietary intake (especially in vegetarians), malabsorption.	Genetic defect in hemoglobin synthesis.
Blood Cell Characteristics	Microcytic (small) and hypochromic (pale) red blood cells.	Macrocytic (large) red blood cells.	Microcytic and hypochromic red blood cells.
Associated Symptoms	Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath.	Fatigue, nerve problems (tingling), memory issues.	Fatigue, pale skin, jaundice.
Primary Treatment	Iron supplements, dietary changes, addressing underlying cause.	B12 supplementation (oral or injections), dietary changes.	Blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy, genetic counseling.

Anemia Mukt Bharat: A Multifaceted Approach

The Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy, launched in 2018, is the government's comprehensive plan to tackle anemia across different age groups. Its core actions include:

Prophylactic IFA Supplementation: Providing iron and folic acid supplements, especially to children, adolescents, and pregnant women.
Deworming: Conducting regular deworming programs to reduce parasitic infections.
Dietary Diversification and Food Fortification: Encouraging varied diets and fortifying common foods with IFA.
Behavior Change Communication: Promoting better health and dietary practices.
Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping: Recommending delaying cord clamping at birth for improved infant iron stores.

Conclusion

Iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent type in India, particularly impacting women and children, but it often coincides with other deficiencies like vitamin B12. The causes are complex, involving diet, environment, and physiological demands. Initiatives like Anemia Mukt Bharat are vital for broad intervention, emphasizing the need to address multiple factors to reduce the national anemia burden.

World Health Organization information on Anaemia

Prevention and Dietary Recommendations

Diversify your diet: Incorporate various iron-rich foods, including greens, pulses, and fortified options.
Enhance iron absorption: Combine iron-rich foods with Vitamin C sources.
Balance supplementation: Take iron and calcium supplements separately if possible.
Practice good hygiene: Simple measures like hand washing can prevent parasitic causes.
Consider B12 sources: Vegetarians should ensure adequate B12 intake through diet or supplements.
Monitor at key life stages: Pregnant women and adolescent girls require focused monitoring and nutritional support.
Follow national programs: Utilize resources and supplements provided by programs like Anemia Mukt Bharat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Early signs of anemia include persistent fatigue, general weakness, pale skin, cold hands and feet, and dizziness. In more severe cases, individuals may experience shortness of breath, headaches, and rapid heart rate.

Nutritional anemia is very common in India, with iron deficiency being the primary cause. A significant percentage of children, adolescents, and women suffer from anemia, according to findings from studies and national surveys.

Yes, vegetarianism can increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia in India. Iron from plant sources (non-heme iron) is less easily absorbed by the body compared to heme iron from meat. A balanced vegetarian diet, particularly with sources of Vitamin C to aid absorption, is crucial.

Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) is an Indian government initiative launched in 2018 to reduce the prevalence of anemia across the country through six interventions and six institutional mechanisms. It includes strategies like prophylactic iron and folic acid supplementation, deworming, and food fortification.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is also common, especially in urban India, and can lead to a different type of anemia (megaloblastic anemia). It is a significant factor, particularly among vegetarians and those with malabsorption issues.

Yes, non-nutritional factors also play a role. These include inherited blood disorders like thalassemia, infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, and parasitic infestations such as hookworm, which can cause chronic blood loss.

Diagnosis of anemia typically involves blood tests to check hemoglobin levels. Further tests, such as measuring serum ferritin for iron deficiency or vitamin B12 levels, are done to determine the specific cause.