Omega-3 Index in Europe — Key Statistics 2026
The omega-3 index measures the share of EPA and DHA among total fatty acids in red blood cell membranes. It is considered a stable marker of long-term EPA+DHA status. Over 70% of the German population has an omega-3 index below 8% — the optimal range for cardiovascular health defined by Carsten von Schacky (2020). Germany's mean index is only 5.0–6.5% [Stark et al. 2016]. This page aggregates verified figures from primary studies and EFSA guidelines.
Last updated: May 2026 · YMYL: epidemiological data only, no treatment recommendations.
Key Figures at a Glance
| Indicator | Value | Group / Region | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean omega-3 index, Germany | 5.0–6.5% | Adults, DE (pooled data) | Stark et al. 2016 (Prog Lipid Res) |
| Population share with omega-3 index < 8% (DE) | > 70% | Adults, DE | von Schacky 2020 (Nutrients) |
| Mean EPA+DHA intake, Europe | ~100–130 mg/day | Adults, EU (excl. Nordic countries) | Stark et al. 2016 (Prog Lipid Res) |
| EFSA recommendation, EPA+DHA (adults) | 250 mg/day | Cardiovascular health (EFSA 2012) | EFSA 2012 (EFSA Journal 10(7):2815) |
| Optimal omega-3 index (von Schacky) | 8–11% | Target range, cardiovascular health | von Schacky 2020 (Nutrients) |
| Omega-3 index, Nordic countries (high fish intake) | 7–9% | Norway, Iceland, Japan (reference) | Stark et al. 2016 |
| Population share with omega-3 index < 4% (risk zone) | ~10% (estimate) | Adults, DE | Editorial estimate derived from the risk threshold in von Schacky 2020 — no published prevalence figure |
Omega-3 Index in International Comparison
Stark et al. (2016) analysed omega-3 index data from 298 studies (n = 298,121 participants across 44 countries), creating the most comprehensive global map of EPA+DHA status to date [Prog Lipid Res 63:132–152]. Germany falls into the intermediate range — better than much of Asia and Africa, but well below Japanese or Icelandic values.
| Country / Region | Mean Omega-3 Index | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | ~10% | Optimal (high fish consumption) | Stark 2016 |
| Norway / Iceland | 7–9% | Well-supplied | Stark 2016 |
| Germany | 5.0–6.5% | Suboptimal (target > 8%) | Stark 2016 |
| USA | ~5% | Suboptimal | Stark 2016 |
| Southeast / South Asia | < 4% | High-risk zone (von Schacky classification) | Stark 2016 |
Von Schacky classification: < 4% = high risk · 4–8% = intermediate (suboptimal) · > 8% = optimal. [von Schacky 2020]
Food Sources and the Intake Gap in Germany
EFSA recommends 250 mg EPA+DHA per day for adults to support cardiovascular health [EFSA 2012]. A fatty 150 g portion of salmon supplies about 2,000–3,000 mg EPA+DHA — yet the average German eats only about one fish meal per week, often lean species such as pollock or fish fingers with little EPA+DHA.
Fresh Atlantic salmon — one of the richest natural EPA+DHA sources.
The average is less than half the EFSA recommendation of 250 mg/day [Stark et al. 2016].
Per the National Nutrition Survey II (cited by the DGE), average fish intake is 105 g/week for men and 91 g/week for women — roughly one portion, often lean species.
Plant-based omega-3 sources (flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds) contain ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), not EPA or DHA directly. The conversion rate from ALA to EPA in the human body is low, at roughly 5–10%, so plant sources alone cannot adequately cover EPA+DHA needs [EFSA 2012, DGE].
Groups at Particular Risk
Studies show that vegans and vegetarians have significantly lower omega-3 indices than omnivores, since plant-based diets provide no direct EPA or DHA sources [Flock et al. 2013]. Algae oil (DHA/EPA from microalgae) is the only direct plant-based source of marine omega-3 fatty acids.
EFSA recommends an additional 100–200 mg DHA per day for pregnant and breastfeeding women, on top of the general 250 mg recommendation — to support fetal brain development (EFSA 2010). In Germany, the large majority of pregnant women do not meet this higher recommendation.
Methodology & Sources
Every figure on this page comes exclusively from verifiable primary sources. No figure was interpolated or used without a source reference.
| Label | Full Source | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Stark 2016 | Stark KD et al. (2016): Global survey of the omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in the blood stream of healthy adults. Prog Lipid Res 63:132–152. PMID 27216485. | pubmed/27216485 |
| von Schacky 2020 | von Schacky C (2020): Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Pregnancy — The Case for a Target Omega-3 Index. Nutrients 12(4):898. PMID 32224878. | pubmed/32224878 |
| EFSA 2012 | EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products (2012): Scientific Opinion on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). EFSA Journal 10(7):2815. | efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com |
| Flock 2013 | Flock MR et al. (2013): Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids: time to establish a dietary reference intake. Nutr Rev 71(10):692–707. PMID 24117792. | pubmed/24117792 |
Last reviewed: May 2026. Data under CC BY 4.0.
Optimise Your Omega-3 Status?
In our omega-3 guide, our team explains which doses actually raise the index, how fish oil and algae oil compare, and how to test your own omega-3 index with a blood test.