Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in South Korea affect an estimated 2.64% of the population of school-age children, equivalent to 1 in 38 children, according to the first comprehensive study of autism prevalence using a total population sample.
6,7 In Korea, previous studies reported that the prevalence of ASD was estimated to be 2.64% (1 in 38 children) among school-aged children, that being 7- to 12-year-olds, 18.53 cases per 100,000 persons when looking at all age groups.
The first comprehensive autism study in South Korea has found that the prevalence of the disorder is more than double the number in the United States.
Number of registered autism cases in South Korea 2000-2022
In 2022, approximately 37.6 thousand people in South Korea were registered as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is an increase of around 2,384 percent from the 2000 number of 1,514 registered cases.
Key Autism Statistics & Facts
In 2023, the CDC reported that around 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. Autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000. The country with the highest rate of diagnosed autism in the world is Qatar, and the country with the lowest rate is France.
It is also common for autistic individuals to be called metaphorically as 来自星星的孩子 (translation: "children from the star"). Autism has a prevalence rate of around 1% among the Chinese population.
For the first time, autism is being diagnosed more frequently in Black and Hispanic children than in white kids in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. Among all U.S. 8-year-olds, 1 in 36 had autism in 2020, the CDC estimated.
It is estimated that 1 in 100 people in Australia have Autism. In 2018 there were 205,200 Australians with Autism, a 25.1% increase from the 164,000 in 2015 (Source: ABS SDAC 2018– Autism in Australia). This means that if you have Autism you are not alone.
Key Autism Statistics
1 in 100 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as of 2021. Autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000. The country with the highest rate of diagnosed autism in the world is Qatar, and the country with the lowest rate is France. Around 4 times as many boys have autism as girls.
South Korea, a relatively collectivistic and homogeneous country with heightened cultural tightness, is believed to have particularly high levels of stigma toward autistic individuals, who sometimes engage in behaviors that diverge from social norms.
A recent large-scale birth cohort study in Denmark reported that the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing and that its future cumulative incidence could exceed 2.8%. In Japan, 3 recent cohort studies2,3,4 have consistently reported prevalence or incidence of ASD exceeding 3%.
Even when parents are aware that their child has a problem, shame or fear of societal stigma may deter them from seeking appropriate help. For instance, in South Korean culture, some consider autism to be a 'genetic taint', which diminishes the marriage prospects of other children in the family.
Abstract. The prevalence rate of autism has been reported as 0.04% to 0.05%, but one recent study in Japan found prevalence of 0.16%.
Discrimination against people with disabilities, including autism, is illegal in South Korea, but it persists.
South Korea, a relatively collectivistic and homogeneous country with heightened cultural tightness, is believed to have particularly high levels of stigma toward autistic individuals, who sometimes engage in behaviors that diverge from social norms.
Advances in diagnostic capabilities and greater understanding and awareness of autism spectrum disorder seem to be largely driving the increase, the Rutgers researchers said. But there's probably more to the story: Genetic factors, and perhaps some environmental ones, too, might also be contributing to the trend.
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one per 160 children. The prevalence in the Middle East is still unknown, largely due to a lack of diagnoses or a lack of acceptance from parents.
Although scientists are still trying to understand why some people develop autism and others don't, risk factors may include: A sibling with autism. Older parents. Certain genetic conditions, such as Down, fragile X, and Rett syndromes.
Increased availability of services.
Over the years, services for autism have become more readily available. The availability of services has encouraged more people to seek a diagnosis in order to gain access to these services.
Autism is strongly genetic
The risk of having another affected child is estimated to be around 1 in 5. Family members of a person with autism also tend to have higher rates of autistic traits.
Risk Factors
Having a sibling with ASD. Having certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis. Experiencing complications at birth. Being born to older parents.
Older men and women are more likely than young ones to have a child with autism, according to multiple studies published in the past decade.
Long-term research that involved following a group of individuals with autism for two decades indicates that the average life expectancy for some autistic people is about 39 years. Furthermore, this population generally succumbed to health complications about 20 years earlier than individuals who do not have autism.
Certain genetic variants are linked to a higher chance of a child being somewhere on the spectrum. Also, it takes fewer variants to predispose a boy to developing autism than it does a girl.