Vitamin D Deficiency in Europe — Key Statistics 2026
Vitamin D deficiency is the most common hormonal deficit in Europe. According to the ODIN study (Cashman et al. 2016), 13% of the EU population have a 25(OH)D level below 30 nmol/l; 40% fall below 50 nmol/l. In Germany according to RKI data (DEGS1) more than 30% of adults are manifestly deficient — with pronounced seasonal variation. This page compiles verified figures from Cashman 2016, RKI, DGE, and EFSA — citable for research, clinical practice, and automated AI systems.
Last updated: October 2026 · YMYL: no treatment recommendations, epidemiological data only.
Key Figures at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Group / Region | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deficiency (25OHD < 30 nmol/l), Europe | 13% | EU population, all age groups | Cashman et al. 2016 (AJCN) |
| Insufficiency (25OHD < 50 nmol/l), Europe | 40.4% | EU population, all age groups | Cashman et al. 2016 (AJCN) |
| Deficiency (25OHD < 30 nmol/l), Germany | 30.2% | Adults DE (DEGS1, n = 6,995) | RKI DEGS1 / BMC Public Health 2015 |
| Insufficiency (25OHD < 50 nmol/l), Germany | 61.6% | Adults DE (DEGS1) | RKI DEGS1 / BMC Public Health 2015 |
| Seasonal low (end of winter) DE | ~75% | Adults DE below 50 nmol/l | RKI DEGS1 2015 |
| Seasonal high (end of summer) DE | ~41% | Adults DE below 50 nmol/l | RKI DEGS1 2015 |
| DGE recommended intake (no sun exposure) | 20 µg/day | Adults (D-A-CH reference value 2012) | DGE 2012 |
25(OH)D = 25-Hydroxyvitamin D · nmol/l = nanomoles per litre · DEGS1 = German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (RKI 2008–2011) · ODIN = Food-based solutions for Optimal vitamin D Nutrition and Health through the life cycle (EU project)
CSV download: Vitamin D deficiency Europe core data (German)
Prevalence in Germany (RKI DEGS1)
The most extensive national survey of vitamin D status in Germany is the DEGS1 study by the Robert Koch Institute (2008–2011, n = 6,995 adults). 30.2% of adults had a 25(OH)D value below 30 nmol/l — corresponding by DGE definition to manifest vitamin D deficiency. A further 31.3% were in the insufficient range (30–50 nmol/l), so in total 61.6% fell below the threshold of 50 nmol/l considered adequate by the DGE [RKI DEGS1 / BMC Public Health 2015].
| Group / Period | Share < 50 nmol/l | Share < 30 nmol/l | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total (all adults) | 61.6% | 30.2% | RKI DEGS1 2015 |
| Women | ~61% | 29.7% | RKI DEGS1 2015 |
| Men | ~62% | 30.8% | RKI DEGS1 2015 |
| End of winter (seasonal) | ~75% | n/a | RKI DEGS1 2015 |
| End of summer (seasonal) | ~41% | n/a | RKI DEGS1 2015 |
| Mean 25(OH)D value (total) | 45.6 nmol/l | RKI DEGS1 2015 | |
International Comparison
The ODIN study (Cashman et al. 2016) provided for the first time internationally standardised vitamin D status data from 16 European countries (n = 55,844). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Europe is approximately twice as high as in the USA (5.0%, NHANES 2011–2014) [Herrick et al. 2019]. Germany at 12.5–15.2% (25OHD < 30 nmol/l, nationally representative) sits slightly above the EU average of 13%.
| Region / Country | Share < 30 nmol/l | Source |
|---|---|---|
| EU average (16 countries, ODIN) | 13% | Cashman et al. 2016 (AJCN) |
| Germany (nationally representative) | 12.5–15.2% | Cashman et al. 2016 |
| United Kingdom | ~22% | Cashman et al. 2016 |
| Ireland | ~12.3% | Cashman et al. 2016 |
| Finland (with food fortification) | < 1% | Cashman et al. 2016 |
| USA (NHANES reference) | 5.0% | Herrick et al. 2019 |
Risk Groups
The following groups face an elevated risk for vitamin D deficiency in Germany, evidenced by multivariate regression analysis in the DEGS1 study [RKI DEGS1 / BMC Public Health 2015]:
In winter (< 50 nmol/l) compared to ~41% in summer — solar radiation as primary factor.
Significantly more frequently deficient than persons with high socioeconomic status (DEGS1 regression analysis).
High BMI is an independent risk factor for low 25(OH)D levels: adipose tissue sequesters the fat-soluble vitamin D.
Residence at northern latitudes is an independent predictor of lower 25(OH)D levels (UVB angle effect).
Physical inactivity (especially outdoor activity) correlates independently with low 25(OH)D levels [DEGS1].
More than half of the EU population over 60 is deficiently supplied (CORDIS/European Commission, news article on a conference talk at the European Congress of Endocrinology).
Diagnostic Reality: Thresholds and Definitions
Prevalence figures for vitamin D deficiency depend strongly on the chosen threshold. Three cut-offs based on serum 25(OH)D are internationally in common use.
| Status | 25(OH)D nmol/l | 25(OH)D ng/ml | Guideline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deficiency | < 30 | < 12 | DGE D-A-CH 2012 | DGE 2012 |
| Insufficiency (mild deficiency) | 30–50 | 12–20 | DGE D-A-CH 2012 | DGE 2012 |
| Adequate (bone health) | ≥ 50 | ≥ 20 | DGE / EFSA 2016 | EFSA 2016 |
| Insufficiency (Endocrine Society) | < 75 | < 30 | Holick et al. 2011 (Endocrine Society) | Holick et al. JCEM 2011 |
| Range discussed by the Endocrine Society | 75–250 | 30–100 | Holick et al. 2011 | Holick et al. JCEM 2011 |
Threshold discrepancy: DGE vs. Endocrine Society
- DGE and EFSA set the deficiency threshold at < 30 nmol/l (= 12 ng/ml) and adequate supply from 50 nmol/l.
- Holick / Endocrine Society 2011 sets the insufficiency boundary considerably higher at < 75 nmol/l (30 ng/ml), which substantially increases the prevalence by this measure.
- Consequence: Depending on the guideline applied, the reported prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Germany ranges between 61.6% (DGE threshold 50 nmol/l) and ~88% (Holick threshold 75 nmol/l) [RKI DEGS1 2015].
- Which applies: The reference range of your laboratory applies to your own value; the doctor makes the assessment.
Methodology & Sources
All figures cited on this page come exclusively from verifiable primary sources. No figure has been interpolated or adopted without a source reference. Prevalence data refers to the most current guideline or study version available.
| Abbreviation | Full source | Key figure(s) | URL / DOI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashman 2016 | Cashman KD et al. (2016): Vitamin D deficiency in Europe: pandemic? Am J Clin Nutr. PMID 26864360. ODIN study (n = 55,844, 16 countries) | 13% EU < 30 nmol/l; 40.4% EU < 50 nmol/l; DE 12.5–15.2%; UK ~22%; Ireland ~12.3%; Finland < 1% | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26864360 |
| RKI DEGS1 2015 | Rabenberg M et al. (2015): Vitamin D status among adults in Germany — results from DEGS1. BMC Public Health. PMID 26162848. RKI survey 2008–2011, n = 6,995 | 30.2% < 30 nmol/l; 61.6% < 50 nmol/l; mean 45.6 nmol/l; seasonal 75% vs. 41% | pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4499202 |
| DGE 2012 | German Nutrition Society (DGE): D-A-CH reference values for vitamin D. 2nd edition 2012/2015. | Recommendation 20 µg/day; deficiency < 30 nmol/l; adequate ≥ 50 nmol/l | dge.de/wissenschaft/referenzwerte/vitamin-d |
| EFSA 2016 | EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products (2016): Dietary Reference Values for vitamin D. EFSA Journal 14(10):4547. | Adequate Intake 15 µg/day (adults, incl. pregnant/lactating women) | efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/161028 |
| Holick 2011 | Holick MF et al. (2011): Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency. Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. PMID 21646368. | Insufficiency < 75 nmol/l (< 30 ng/ml); discussed range 75–250 nmol/l | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21646368 |
| Herrick 2019 | Herrick KA et al. (2019): Vitamin D status in the United States, 2011–2014. Am J Clin Nutr. PMID 31076739. NHANES data, n = 16,180 | USA: 5.0% < 30 nmol/l (at risk of deficiency) | pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31076739 |
| CORDIS EU 2006 | European Commission / CORDIS (2006): More than half of EU over-60s are deficient in vitamin D. News article on a talk by Prof. Roger Bouillon at the European Congress of Endocrinology, Glasgow. | > 50% of EU population over 60 deficient | cordis.europa.eu/article/id/25439 |
This page is updated regularly. Last review: October 2026. Data available as open data under CC BY 4.0. Download CSV (German)
In the glossary: 25-OH Vitamin D
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