World Population Review

Lactose Intolerance
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
80% 90% 100%

Click on a country for details.

Lactose Intolerance by
Country 2024
Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder caused
by the inability to digest lactose. Those with
lactose intolerance don’t make enough of the
enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest
lactose. Lactose is the main carbohydrate in dairy
products. Lactose intolerance can start at birth or
can develop suddenly later in life, even if the
individual has never had a problem with dairy
before. Lactose intolerance in infants is caused by
a mutation of the LCT gene, resulting in life-long
intolerance. In adults, the disorder is caused by
decreasing activity of the LCT gene, resulting in
an increasing inability to digest lactose as an
individual ages. About 65% of the adult human
population has this type of lactose intolerance.

The disorder is relatively very common, affecting

millions of people in the U.S. alone. Lactose
intolerance is generally harmless but its
symptoms can cause extreme discomfort.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance appear after
consuming lactose or dairy and include bloaring,
abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and gas. Lactose
malabsorption causes the digestive symptoms of
lactose intolerance. Not everyone with lactose
malabsorption has digestive symptoms after
consuming lactose. Only those who have
symptoms have lactose intolerance.

Treatment for the disorder includes avoiding dairy,

the use of lactase supplements (such as Lactaid),
and the use of lactose-free products. While
treatment can help prevent symptoms, there is no
cure for this condition. Those who have lactose
intolerance and need to avoid consuming dairy
products run the risk of not receiving enough
nutrients, specifically calcium and vitamin D. A
lack of calcium can lead to osteoporosis, a
condition in which one’s bones become brittle and
more likely to break. The National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK) has guidelines on how to eat with lactose
intolerance without sacrificing your nutritional
needs.

Lactose Intolerance Around the

World

In the United States, individuals who are from or

whose families are from parts of the world where
lactose malabsorption is more common are more
likely to have lactose intolerance. According to the
NIDDK, those who are American American,
American Indian, Asian American, or
Hispanic/Latino are more likely to have lactose
malabsorption. Lactose intolerance is generally
most common in Asian countries, especially in
East Asian, where about 70-100% of people show
lactose intolerance; it is least prevent in Northern
and Central Europe, where only about 5% of the
population has lactose intolerance.

The ten countries with the lowest prevalence of

lactose intolerance are:

Country Lactose Intolerance

Denmark 4%

Ireland 4%

Sweden 7%

United Kingdom 8%

New Zealand 10%

Netherlands 12%

Norway 12%

Niger 13%

Belgium 15%

Germany 16%

CSV JSON

Lactose
Country Intolerance
Search... (89) Min Max

South Korea 100%

Yemen 100%
Ghana 100%
Malawi 100%
Solomon Islands 99%
Vietnam 98%
Zambia 98%
Armenia 98%
Azerbaijan 96%
Oman 96%
DR Congo 95%
Mozambique 95%
showing: 89 rows

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country is most lactose

intolerant?

100% of the residents of Ghana, Malawi, South

Korea, and Yemen are believed to be lactose
intolerant.

Sources

1. Lactose Intolerance by Country - Britannica

ProCon
2. Country, regional, and global estimates for
lactose malabsorption in adults: a systematic
review and meta-analysis - The Lancet

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