1. Global Prevalence of Autism

According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO):

 

Globally, approximately 1 in every 100 children is on the autism spectrum.

 

According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2024 report):

 

One in every 36 children has been diagnosed with autism.

 

The rate of autism diagnosis is approximately four times higher in boys than in girls.

(That is, for every 1 girl, 4 boys are diagnosed.)

 

🇹🇷 2. Prevalence of Autism in Turkey

Although there are no official and up-to-date comprehensive national statistics in Turkey,

estimated rates are close to the global average:

 

In Turkey, one in every 40–50 children is on the autism spectrum.

 

Organisations such as the Turkish Autism Council and TODEV (Turkish Association for Autistic Individuals)

estimate that there may be over 550,000 individuals with autism across the country.

Approximately 150,000 of these are of school age.

 

🧠 3. Why Does Prevalence Seem to Be Increasing?

The rise in prevalence is generally attributed to the following reasons:

 

🔹 Expansion of diagnostic criteria (e.g., the inclusion of ‘Asperger’s syndrome’ within the autism spectrum)

 

🔹 Increased awareness in society (families and teachers are noticing symptoms earlier)

 

🔹 Improved diagnostic methods and access to healthcare

 

🔹 An increase in early-age screening programmes

 

Therefore, the rise is less about a “surge in actual case numbers” and

more about a greater number of individuals receiving an accurate diagnosis.

 

📊 4. Key Figures at a Glance

Region / SourcePrevalence RateYear

 

USA (CDC)1 in 36 children2024

 

Global (WHO)1 in 100 children2023

 

European average1 in 89 children2022