Prevalence of Anemia in Pregnant Women (%... in Turkey

Published 2026-10-07 · 24Peaks Research

Prevalence of Anemia in Pregnant Women (%...) in Turkey

The prevalence of anemia in pregnant women in Turkey is estimated at approximately 25-30% of expectant mothers, based on the latest available data compiled from World Bank and WHO methodologies. This indicator measures the percentage of women aged 15-49 who are pregnant and have hemoglobin levels below established thresholds. 24Peaks hosts the latest series for Turkey with annual updates as new survey data become available.

What This Indicator Measures

The prevalence of anemia in pregnant women is a health and nutrition indicator that tracks the share of pregnant women whose hemoglobin concentration falls below defined cutoffs. For pregnant women, the World Health Organization defines anemia as hemoglobin below 11 g/dL during the first and third trimesters, and below 10.5 g/dL during the second trimester. This is distinct from anemia thresholds for non-pregnant women, which sit at 12 g/dL.

The data is typically sourced from national health surveys, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and in some cases, clinical records or population-based studies. International organizations including the World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF aggregate these sources into a comparable global time series. The indicator is expressed as a percentage of all pregnant women aged 15-49 in a given country and year.

For Turkey, estimates are generally derived from national health research and survey data, with the Ministry of Health and TUBITAK-supported studies contributing to the evidence base. The World Bank reports this indicator alongside other maternal health metrics, making cross-country comparison feasible.

Why It Matters for Investors and Policymakers

Anemia in pregnancy is a public health concern with measurable economic consequences. It is associated with higher rates of maternal mortality, premature birth, low birth weight, and postpartum complications. These outcomes carry direct costs to healthcare systems and indirect costs through reduced workforce participation and productivity.

For investors, this indicator functions as a proxy for the quality of a country's public health infrastructure and human capital development. Countries with higher anemia prevalence among pregnant women tend to have lower scores on broader health and development indices, which can influence sovereign risk assessments and long-term growth projections.

The indicator also feeds into progress tracking for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Development finance institutions and impact investors frequently reference such indicators when evaluating social bond frameworks and health sector investments.

Recent Trends in Turkey by Region

Turkey has made substantial progress in reducing maternal anemia over the past two decades, though the national figure masks significant regional variation. As of the latest available year, the national prevalence is estimated in the 25-30% range, down from levels that exceeded 40-50% in the early 2000s.

Regional patterns are pronounced. In western provinces such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Bursa, prevalence tends to be lower, often in the 15-22% range. These areas benefit from better access to prenatal care, higher average income levels, and stronger health infrastructure. In eastern and southeastern provinces, including areas around Van, Şanlıurfa, and Diyarbakır, prevalence can exceed 35-40%, reflecting disparities in healthcare access, education levels, and nutrition.

The Turkish government has implemented several programs addressing maternal health, including free prenatal iron supplementation, routine hemoglobin screening during pregnancy, and expanded family medicine services. These initiatives have likely contributed to the downward trend, though regional gaps persist.

Seasonality and socioeconomic factors also play a role. Anemia prevalence tends to be higher among women with lower educational attainment, those in rural areas, and those with higher parity. These patterns are consistent with global findings.

Comparison With Other Countries

Comparing Turkey's performance against peer countries helps contextualize the indicator. The table below presents illustrative values based on the most recent publicly available estimates from international databases. Exact figures may vary by source and year, and 24Peaks hosts the latest series for each country.

Turkey's position is broadly in line with middle-income countries that have invested in maternal health but still face regional disparities. It performs better than many countries in the Middle East and North Africa but lags behind European Union averages, where prevalence is often below 20%.

It is worth noting that measurement methods differ across countries. Some use venous blood samples with laboratory analysis, while others rely on portable hemoglobinometers. These methodological differences can affect reported prevalence by several percentage points, so cross-country comparisons should be interpreted with caution.

Limitations and Data Caveats

Several limitations affect the interpretation of this indicator. First, data frequency is irregular. Many countries, including Turkey, do not conduct annual nationally representative surveys on maternal anemia. Estimates may be interpolated or modeled between survey years, introducing uncertainty.

Second, the indicator relies on hemoglobin measurement, which can be affected by altitude, smoking, and hydration status. Adjustments for these factors are not always applied consistently. In Turkey, where large parts of the population live at moderate altitudes, this can matter.

Third, the definition of anemia in pregnancy varies by trimester, and some surveys do not distinguish between trimesters. This can lead to over- or under-estimation depending on the mix of respondents.

Fourth, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health surveys and prenatal care access in 2020-2021, potentially affecting data quality for those years. Any estimates covering that period should be treated with additional caution.

Finally, the indicator captures prevalence at a point in time or over a survey period, not incidence. It does not indicate whether anemia is being actively treated or resolved. For a fuller picture, analysts should pair this indicator with data on iron supplementation coverage and prenatal care utilization.

FAQ

What does the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women measure?

It measures the percentage of pregnant women aged 15-49 whose hemoglobin levels fall below WHO-defined thresholds, indicating anemia. This is a key maternal health and nutrition indicator tracked by the World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF.

What is Turkey's current rate?

As of the latest available year, Turkey's prevalence is estimated at approximately 25-30% of pregnant women. This reflects a national average with significant regional variation, and 24Peaks hosts the latest series.

Why is this indicator important for investors?

It serves as a proxy for public health infrastructure and human capital quality, which influence long-term economic growth and sovereign risk assessments. Countries with better maternal health outcomes tend to have stronger development indicators.

How does Turkey compare with other countries?

Turkey performs better than many Middle Eastern and North African countries but lags behind EU averages. Its prevalence is broadly comparable to Bulgaria and higher than Greece, reflecting its middle-income status.

What are the main limitations of this data?

Data frequency is irregular, measurement methods vary, and hemoglobin readings can be affected by altitude and other factors. Cross-country comparisons should account for these methodological differences and survey timing.

Compare This Indicator on 24Peaks

Explore the latest data for the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women in Turkey and compare it with other countries using the 24Peaks workbench.