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Global lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Molecular Psychiatry (2026)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

Currently, studies on the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in the general population have not been updated or limited to a single country or region. The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia may differ in other populations with certain relevant influencing factors or conditions. Globally, there is a lack of meta-analyses focusing on the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in specific populations. This study aims to determine the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in the general population, homeless populations, offenders, populations with comorbid mental disorders, populations with comorbid physical illnesses, populations at high genetic risk, populations exposed to stress, low-income populations, and indigenous populations, and to identify relevant factors.

Methods

Meta-analysis was used to estimate the combined lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in the general population and eight other groups. To explore the sources of heterogeneity and identify factors associated with changes in prevalence, we conducted subgroup analyses of the general population, the homeless population, and the criminal population, examining geographic regions, sociodemographic factors, and methodological characteristics. Meta-regression in the general population examined the relationship between schizophrenia and mean age, publication year, and bias risk.

Results

109 articles were included. Among them, 60 reported results from a sample of 20,910,871 individuals from the general population across 24 countries, 21 involved 6,605 individuals from the homeless population in 11 countries, there were 36 studies involving seven different population groups. The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia is 0.62% (95% CI [0.51%–0.76%]) in the general population and 10.02% (95% CI [7.38%–13.47%]) in the homeless populations. Asia has the lowest lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in both the general population and the homeless population, at 0.47% (95% CI [0.35%–0.64%]) and 4.68% (95% CI [2.11%–10.07%]).

Conclusions

Findings indicate that schizophrenia is more prevalent in special populations than in the general population. Understanding and addressing the risk factors contributing to elevated prevalence in vulnerable populations is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies and improving early intervention efforts.

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Fig. 1: PRISMA flow diagram for study eligibility.
Fig. 2: Forest plot of the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in the general population.
Fig. 3: Global distribution and lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in the general population.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Yuqiu Zhou, upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This study was supported by The Natural Science Foundation of China (72074063).

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Shuxin Zhang, Yubin Chen, Linghui Zhang.

  2. These authors jointly supervised this work: Yubin Chen, Linghui Zhang

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing and Medicine, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313000, China

    Shuxin Zhang, Xinyu Yang, Junhui Dong, Minle Lu, Na Zhou, Yang Feng, Yu Zhang & Yuqiu Zhou

  2. Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China

    Yubin Chen & Linghui Zhang

  3. Department of Nursing, Haining Fourth People’s Hospital, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, 314499, China

    Linghui Zhang

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Contributions

Shuxin Zhang and Yuqiu Zhou take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Concept and design: Shuxin Zhang, Yubin Chen, Linghui Zhang, Xinyu Yang, Yang Feng, Yuqiu Zhou. Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Shuxin Zhang, Yubin Chen, Junhui Dong, Minle Lu, Na Zhou, Yang Feng, Yuqiu Zhou. Drafting of the manuscript: Shuxin Zhang, Yubin Chen, Linghui Zhang. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Shuxin Zhang, Yubin Chen, Linghui Zhang, Yang Feng, Yuqiu Zhou. Statistical analysis: Shuxin Zhang, Yubin Chen, Linghui Zhang, Yu Zhang, Yuqiu Zhou. Administrative, technical, or material support: Shuxin Zhang, Yubin Chen, Linghui Zhang, Xinyu Yang, Yang Feng, Yuqiu Zhou. Supervision: Yuqiu Zhou.

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Zhang, S., Chen, Y., Zhang, L. et al. Global lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-026-03533-3

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