Schizophrenia affects around 0.3–0.7% of the general population at some point in life (i.e. lifetime prevalence),[1] or 21 million people worldwide as of 2020 (about one of every 285).[2] By using precise methods in its diagnosis and a large, representative population, schizophrenia seems to occur with relative consistency over time during the last half-century.[3]
While it is claimed that schizophrenia occurs at similar rates worldwide, its prevalence and incidence varies across the world,[4] within countries,[5] and at the local and neighborhood level.[6] It causes approximately 1% of worldwide disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).[7] The rate of schizophrenia varies up to threefold depending on how it is defined.[1]
^Jablensky A, Sartorius N, Ernberg G, Anker M, Korten A, Cooper JE, et al. (1992). "Schizophrenia: manifestations, incidence and course in different cultures. A World Health Organization ten-country study". Psychological Medicine. Monograph Supplement. 20: 1–97. doi:10.1017/S0264180100000904. PMID1565705. S2CID44841074.
^Kirkbride JB, Fearon P, Morgan C, Dazzan P, Morgan K, Tarrant J, et al. (March 2006). "Heterogeneity in incidence rates of schizophrenia and other psychotic syndromes: findings from the 3-center AeSOP study". Archives of General Psychiatry. 63 (3): 250–258. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.63.3.250. PMID16520429. S2CID11825440.
^Kirkbride JB, Fearon P, Morgan C, Dazzan P, Morgan K, Murray RM, Jones PB (June 2007). "Neighbourhood variation in the incidence of psychotic disorders in Southeast London". Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 42 (6): 4998–445. doi:10.1007/s00127-007-0193-0. PMID17473901. S2CID19655724.