Understanding hemophilia prevalence

Last updated April 11, 2025, by Agata Boxe
Fact-checked by Joana Carvalho, PhD

The global prevalence of hemophilia, that is, the number of people who have it, is estimated to be about 836,000 people, according to worldwide statistics.

Hemophilia is a rare disorder that causes the blood to not clot properly. People with the disease bleed easily and the bleeding may be prolonged. Hemophilia is much more common in men than women.

The rates of hemophilia may not be the same across geographic regions or racial groups, though access to diagnostic tools and data collection systems may be one of the main reasons for these differences.

How many people have hemophilia?

Globally, about 836,000 people may have hemophilia. This number includes 284,000 severe cases, according to estimates from the World Federation of Hemophilia based on data from established patient registries.

Worldwide estimates for hemophilia A and B, according to patient registry data, are:

Hemophilia A prevalence: 17.1 per 100,000 men
Hemophilia B prevalence: 3.8 per 100,000 men
Severe hemophilia A: 6 per 100,000 men
Severe hemophilia B: 1.1 per 100,000 men.

Hemophilia C prevalence is estimated to be 1 in 100,000 people.

The exact prevalence of the disease in the U.S. isn’t completely clear, but the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) estimate that as many as 33,000 men may be living with it.

A 2020 study suggested that hemophilia incidence in the U.S., or the number of newly diagnosed cases during the 20-year study period, was 1 case in 4,334 male births. The incidence of hemophilia A in the U.S. was 1 per 5,617 male births, while for hemophilia B it was 1 per 19,283 male births.

Differences by sex

About 90 percent of all people with hemophilia are men, according to the 2023 survey data from the World Federation of Hemophilia.

The reason why hemophilia is more prevalent in males — and more severe — has to do with the causes of hemophilia. Specifically, it is related to chromosomes, or structures inside cells that carry genetic information.

In most cases, hemophilia occurs when one of the genes on the X chromosome that controls blood clotting has a mutation.

While women have two X chromosomes, men have only one X chromosome (along with one Y chromosome). Men develop the disease when the gene on the X chromosome has a mutation, because, unlike women, they do not have another X chromosome to compensate for the impaired functioning of their one X chromosome.

Women with one faulty X chromosome typically have a healthy gene on their second X chromosome. This is why it’s possible for some women to have the genetic mutation but no hemophilia symptoms or only mild symptoms.

However, some women have hemophilia bleeding symptoms that are as severe as what men experience.

Geographical differences

Hemophilia prevalence may vary across continents and depends on the strengths of healthcare systems, diagnostic tools, and national registries.

For example, while in the Americas and Europe the prevalence appears to be higher than in Africa, it may be because of better tracking systems for hemophilia.

The cases of hemophilia numbers across the continents, according to 2023 survey data from the World Federation of Hemophilia, are:

Africa: 7,950 identified, 93,985 expected
Americas: 57,383 identified, 101,561 expected
Europe: 61,540 identified; 72,226 expected
Southeast Asia: 38,281 identified; 215,106 expected
Western Pacific: 21,435 identified; 51,460 expected.

These numbers are based on the estimated hemophilia prevalence of 20.9 per 100,000 men.

A 2024 study found the prevalence in Asia to be between three and 8.58 per 100,000 people.

Differences by race and ethnicity

Hemophilia affects people of all races and ethnicities, and there aren’t significant differences among racial or ethnic groups. However, Black men in the U.S. may be disproportionately affected by the disease due to healthcare disparities, among other factors.

A 2021 study suggested the prevalence of hemophilia in the U.S. may be higher among white males than Black and Hispanic males.

Specifically, it showed that the prevalence among white males was 15.1 per 100,000, compared with Black males, at 12.4 per 100,000, and Hispanic males, at 12.4 per 100,000. The differences may be because white males were overrepresented in the study population, however.

A 2023 study found that Black men were about 30% more likely than white men to die from hemophilia. The finding is consistent with data from the general population in the U.S., which show that Black men have higher death rates in general, partially due to economic disparities and inequities related to healthcare access.

Are hemophilia rates increasing?

It is not clear whether the rates of hemophilia are increasing. While recently reported numbers may be higher, it’s likely due to greater awareness and improved diagnostic techniques.

More cases of hemophilia tend to be reported in countries and regions with better access to healthcare and more robust hemophilia registries. In countries with fewer healthcare resources, many cases may be undiagnosed.

Improvements in healthcare access and tracking methods in underserved world regions and populations can help researchers better understand how prevalent hemophilia is, which may lead to new hemophilia treatments.

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