on October 06, 2025
Most OECD populations struggle with vitamin D and iron (among other nutrients). Vitamin D deficiency is widespread due to limited sun exposure and few dietary sources, while iron deficiency (often manifesting as anemia) particularly affects women of childbearing age. Omega-3 fatty acids are another common gap, as many people eat little oily fish. Other shortfalls like folate, iodine, calcium, and vitamin B are also seen in dietary surveys. Let’s go country by country to see the notable issues:
Nutritional gaps by country
The table below lists each country and a few key nutritional deficiencies or insufficiencies observed there.
| Country | Key nutritional deficiencies |
|---|---|
| Austria |
Vitamin D: Widespread insufficiency (classified as “suboptimal” in studies). A national survey found the vitamin D supply of Austrians to be "suboptimal" compared to other countries article.imrpress.com. Iron: Anemia affects ~13% of Austrian women 15–49 years old globalnutritionreport.org, indicating many do not get enough iron. |
| Belgium |
Vitamin D: Like much of Western Europe, a significant share of Belgians have low vitamin D (Western Europe’s deficiency prevalence is in the 30–60% range pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Iron: ~13.6% of Belgian women 15–49 have anemia globalnutritionreport.org, showing iron-gap issues. (Also, high sodium intake is noted as a concern in Belgium’s nutrition profile.) |
| Czechia |
Vitamin D: Estimated on the higher end of deficiency – likely around one-third or more of Czechs have low vitamin D (Eastern Europe 30–60% deficiency range pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Iron: ~21.1% of Czech women 15–49 are anemic globalnutritionreport.org, a considerable proportion indicating iron deficiency. Omega-3: Low fish intake means low omega-3 – many never eat oily fish, with typical EPA/DHA intakes often <100 mg/day (far below recommended 250–500 mg) cambridge.org. |
| Denmark |
Vitamin D: Despite Nordic latitude, Denmark fortifies some foods but still sees <20% deficiency in Northern Europe pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Many Danes take cod liver oil, helping keep deficiency rates relatively low. Iron: ~12.2% of Danish women 15–49 have anemia globalnutritionreport.org (still an issue, though slightly lower than EU average). |
| Estonia |
Vitamin D: High deficiency likely (Estonia’s northern location and limited winter sun). In Europe, Southern/Eastern regions report up to 30–60% deficient pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, which would include Estonia. Iron: ~21.7% of Estonian women 15–49 are anemic globalnutritionreport.org – a significant iron gap. |
| Finland |
Vitamin D: A success story – Finland pioneered vitamin D fortification. In 2000 only ~33% of Finns had adequate D, but by 2011 about 90% had sufficient levels iadsa.org thanks to fortifying milk and spreads. Vitamin D deficiency is now much less common in Finland. Iron: ~10.9% of Finnish women 15–49 have anemia globalnutritionreport.org (lower than many countries, but still notable). (High omega-3 intake in Finland due to fish consumption helps avoid that deficiency.) |
| France |
Vitamin D: France has somewhat better vitamin D status than many neighbors – one study reported only ~14% deficient researchgate.net, possibly thanks to diet and sun in southern regions. Nonetheless, suboptimal levels in winter are common. Iron: ~10.6% of French women 15–49 are anemic globalnutritionreport.org. Folate: Like much of Europe (which does not fortify flour with folic acid), low folate intake is widespread – e.g. a significant portion of adults fall short of recommended folate intake. |
| Germany |
Vitamin D: Very widespread gap – an astonishing 82% of men and 91% of women in Germany do not meet the recommended vitamin D intake mynutriapp.com. This indicates most Germans get insufficient vitamin D from food (and many have low blood levels, especially in winter). Iron: ~11.7% of German women 15–49 have anemia genderdata.worldbank.org. Additionally, ~58% of German women do not meet the iron intake recommendation (particularly younger women) mynutriapp.com. Iodine: A notable issue – without iodized salt, 96% of men and 97% of women in Germany fall below iodine intake recommendations mynutriapp.com. (Using iodized salt reduces this drastically.) Germany has historically dealt with mild iodine deficiency. |
| Greece |
Vitamin D: Despite abundant sun, vitamin D deficiency is common in Greece (cultural habits and sunscreen use play a role). Southern Europe in general sees ~30–60% vitamin D deficiency pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, so many Greeks have lower-than-optimal levels. Iron: While exact current figures are not given, anemia in women of reproductive age is likely around 15–20% (many Mediterranean countries are in that range). Omega-3: Traditional diets include fish, but modern intake has fallen. Ensuring enough omega-3 (from fish or walnuts/flax) remains a concern in younger populations. |
| Hungary |
Vitamin D: Similar to other Central/Eastern European countries, broad vitamin D insufficiency is present (estimated ~30–60% deficient pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Winters are long, limiting natural vitamin D. Iron: Anemia in Hungarian women is likely in the ~20% range (no exact stat on hand, but regional data suggest significant iron deficiency among women). Other: Possibly low calcium (if dairy intake is low) and folate (no mandatory fortification). |
| Ireland |
Vitamin D: Ireland actually reports high deficiency rates – one survey found 51% of the Irish population was vitamin D deficient by certain criteria researchgate.net. Cloudy weather and northern latitude make supplements important. Iron: ~12.1% of Irish women 15–49 have anemia genderdata.worldbank.org. Young women in Ireland are encouraged to watch iron intake to prevent fatigue and anemia. Folate: Ireland has considered fortifying folic acid because many women of childbearing age have intakes below recommendations (to prevent birth defects). |
| Israel |
Vitamin D: Many Israelis have insufficient vitamin D, partly due to spending time indoors/climate. Middle Eastern countries can have up to 80% deficiency frontiersin.org. While Israel might be somewhat lower, vitamin D is still a concern especially for those who avoid sun. Iron: ~12.9% of Israeli women 15–49 are anemic globalnutritionreport.org. Iron deficiency anemia is recognized as an issue, especially among certain communities and diets. |
| Italy |
Vitamin D: Paradoxically, sunny Italy sees a lot of vitamin D deficiency. Sedentary indoor lifestyles mean many Italians have low levels – one study noted ~40% prevalence of deficiency researchgate.net. It is a recognized public health issue despite the Mediterranean sun. Iron: ~13.6% of Italian women 15–49 have anemia globalnutritionreport.org, showing that iron-gap is present. Italian diets, while rich in many nutrients, may underprovide iron for women unless red meat or legume intake is high. Iodine: Historically Italy had iodine deficiency (goiter was common), but a 2005 law promoting iodized salt has improved this. By 2020 Italy was considered iodine-sufficient pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, though awareness is still encouraged. |
| Japan |
Vitamin D: Japanese diets include fish, so vitamin D status is better than in Europe. Still, indoor work and sunscreen use mean some have low levels (especially the elderly). Overall, vitamin D deficiency is less common in Japan than in Western countries sciencedirect.com. Iron: Iron deficiency among women is a key gap – about 17–19% of Japanese women 20–49 are anemic pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov genderdata.worldbank.org. Japanese health surveys highlight that many young women consume insufficient iron (possibly due to low red meat intake). Calcium: Traditionally lower dairy consumption has meant calcium intake can be on the low side for some Japanese, though increased consumption of milk and small fish (with bones) helps. |
| Korea (South) |
Vitamin D: South Korea has seen very high vitamin D inadequacy. One national study found “slightly less than 70%” of healthy 40–49 year-olds had deficient vitamin D levels pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Modern urban lifestyles (high-rise living, indoor jobs) contribute to low D status despite sunny weather. Iron: Anemia is a moderate issue – around 12–16% of Korean women 15–49 are anemic pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govbmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com, with higher rates in late teens and 20s. Diets low in heme-iron (red meat) can exacerbate this. Other: Calcium and magnesium intakes are often below recommendations in Korea due to low dairy and whole grain intake, respectively (as noted in dietary studies). |
| Latvia |
Vitamin D: High latitude means Latvians get very limited winter sun. Vitamin D deficiency rates are substantial (likely in the 30–60% range like neighbors). Supplements are recommended in winter for many. Iron: About one-fifth of Latvian women 15–49 have anemia borgenproject.orgborgenproject.org. World Bank data showed just over 20%, reflecting a significant iron gap. Other: Latvia has faced issues with folate and iodine intake as well – for example, nearly half of girls in one study had inadequate iodine intake sciencedirect.com. |
| Lithuania |
Vitamin D: Similar to Latvia/Estonia, low sunlight leads to widespread vitamin D insufficiency. Many Lithuanians are likely deficient without supplements (no fortification program in place). Iron: Approximately 23–24% of Lithuanian women of reproductive age are anemic tradingeconomics.com, one of the higher rates in Europe. Iron-rich foods or supplements are often needed for women. |
| Luxembourg |
Vitamin D: No specific data, but by geography and lifestyle Luxembourg likely has vitamin D gaps resembling its neighbors (e.g. Germany/France) – so a majority do not get enough vitamin D from diet alone. Iron: Estimates vary – one source reported ~10.2% anemia in women (2019) genderdata.worldbank.org, while an earlier figure was ~15.9% (2016) ceicdata.com. In any case, iron deficiency exists but at relatively lower prevalence compared to Eastern Europe. |
| Netherlands |
Vitamin D: The Dutch struggle with vitamin D as well – many do not get sufficient sun or dietary D. In fact, 48% of the entire Dutch population fails to meet the vitamin D recommended intake (as per a study using national data) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Supplements are advised especially for the elderly and those with darker skin. Iron: ~12.8% of Dutch women 15–49 are anemic globalnutritionreport.org (per GNR). Iron intake can be marginal for young women in the Netherlands, despite a generally well-nourished population. Folate: Folate insufficiency is common too – the Netherlands does not fortify flour, and many adults (especially women) do not reach recommended folate intakes, which is concerning for pregnancy. |
| Norway |
Vitamin D: Norwegians historically take cod liver oil (rich in vit D), which helps, but those who do not may become deficient given the dark winters. Northern Europe’s deficiency rate is under 20% in some studies pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – Norway likely falls around that due to fortification and fish. Still, authorities recommend vitamin D supplements in winter for most people. Iron: ~12.0% of Norwegian women 15–49 have anemia globalnutritionreport.org. Iron deficiency is recognized, though Norway’s rate is moderate. Other: Omega-3 intake is actually good in Norway (high fish consumption), so omega-3 deficiency is not a major issue there. |
| Poland |
Vitamin D: Very prevalent deficiency – Poland’s latitude and diet mean many people have low vitamin D, especially in winter. It is estimated a large majority of Polish adults have suboptimal levels in the colder months. Public health campaigns encourage vitamin D supplements. Iron: While exact anemia figures are not listed above, Poland likely has an anemia prevalence in women somewhere in the mid-teens percent. (For reference, neighboring Slovakia and Lithuania are ~20–25%, and Western Europe ~13%.) So iron intake for women could be better. Iodine: Poland mandated iodized salt in the 1990s, significantly reducing iodine deficiency. Today iodine status is generally adequate, though reduced salt use for hypertension has led to re-emerging mild iodine shortfalls in some cases who.int. |
| Portugal |
Vitamin D: In line with other Southern European countries, Portugal sees a considerable portion of the population with low vitamin D (often surprising given the sun – but people may avoid midday sun or have darker skin if of African/Brazilian descent). Many adults are insufficient especially in winter. Iron: ~13.2% of Portuguese women 15–49 are anemic globalnutritionreport.org. Iron deficiency anemia is a moderate public health issue; iron-rich components like beans, greens, or lean meats are encouraged in diets. |
| Slovakia |
Vitamin D: Likely a high prevalence of deficiency. Slovakia’s diet has few vitamin D–rich foods and sunlight is limited in winter. Without widespread fortification, many Slovaks have insufficient vitamin D levels (similar to Czechia and Poland). Iron: High anemia rate – about 23–25% of Slovak women 15–49 are anemic genderdata.worldbank.org tradingeconomics.com. This suggests nearly one in four has iron deficiency anemia, a serious concern. Improving iron intake (e.g. through diet or supplements) for women is a public health priority. |
| Slovenia |
Vitamin D: As a Central European country, Slovenia faces vitamin D gaps. No mandatory fortification, so a large fraction of the population likely has low vitamin D especially in the less sunny half of the year. Iron: ~21.8% of Slovenian women 15–49 have anemia genderdata.worldbank.org, indicating significant iron deficiency. Slovene health authorities have noted the need to improve women’s iron status (through diet education). |
| Spain |
Vitamin D: Surprisingly common deficiency – even in sunny Spain, about one-third of the population (33.9%) is at risk of vitamin D deficiency researchgate.net. Many Spaniards have suboptimal levels, especially in northern regions or among the elderly. Iron: Anemia among Spanish women is estimated around 15–17%. A 2016 figure was 16.6% globalnutritionreport.org. Iron intake can be low in younger women (those eating little red meat). Other: Folate can be low (Spain does not fortify folic acid; women are advised supplements when planning pregnancy), and fiber intake is also below recommendations for many (though fiber is not a vitamin/mineral, it’s a noted gap in Western diets). |
| Sweden |
Vitamin D: Thanks to fortification (Sweden adds vitamin D to milk and margarine) and fish consumption, Swedes fare a bit better on vitamin D than many Europeans – but still, a significant number have insufficient levels. For example, ~18% of Swedes were deficient (<30 nmol/L) in one study pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Winter supplementation is encouraged. Iron: ~13.6% of Swedish women 15–49 have anemia genderdata.worldbank.org. Iron deficiency exists particularly among teenage girls and women with heavy menstruation – Swedish health surveys keep an eye on this. |
| Switzerland |
Vitamin D: Many Swiss are vitamin D deficient, especially in winter (given the high latitude and indoor lifestyles). It is estimated around 40% of Europeans (including Swiss) are deficient nature.com. Switzerland has started some fortification (e.g. D-added foods) but not widespread. Iron: ~11.3% of Swiss women 15–49 have anemia genderdata.worldbank.org. Switzerland’s rate is a bit lower than the European average, but roughly one in ten women still has iron deficiency anemia – mostly in younger women. Other: The Swiss diet can be low in iodine if non-iodized salt is used, but Switzerland has long iodized salt and currently has adequate iodine status nationally. |
| Türkiye (Turkey) |
Vitamin D: Turkey faces a vitamin D deficiency pandemic similar to other Middle Eastern countries. Studies show a very high prevalence – possibly well over half the population has inadequate vitamin D. Cultural clothing, staying indoors during hot days, and limited fortification contribute. Public health agencies urge vitamin D supplementation for risk groups. Iron: Iron deficiency is widespread in Turkish women. ~30% of women 15–49 are anemic ceicdata.com – nearly one in three. This is one of the highest rates among OECD countries listed. Iron-rich diets (or supplementation during pregnancy) are heavily promoted to combat this. Other: Zinc deficiency can be relatively common in Turkey as well (due to lower meat intake in poorer areas), and folate status in women can be low (folic acid flour fortification is not mandatory in Turkey). |
| United Kingdom |
Vitamin D: The UK has high rates of vitamin D insufficiency. About 20% of people have outright deficiency and up to 60% have insufficient levels, meaning overall around 4 in 5 adults are not at optimal vitamin D status vitall.co.uk. The cloudy climate and limited fortification are culprits. The government even offers free vitamin D to vulnerable groups in winter. Iron: ~13.6% of UK women 15–49 have anemiatradingeconomics.com (2019 data). Additionally, U.K. dietary surveys show many teenage girls and women consume below the recommended iron – iron is a notable gap leading to tiredness. Folate & Others: The UK has recently decided to fortify flour with folic acid (to prevent birth defects) because folate deficiency in young women was a concern. Other common shortfalls include magnesium, potassium, and selenium, as British diets have trended towards processed foods (lower in these micronutrients) theguardian.com. |
| United States |
Vitamin D: The U.S. population also struggles with vitamin D – one study found 42% of American adults are deficient pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. If using a stricter yardstick of dietary intake, a whopping 94.3% of Americans do not meet the daily vitamin D requirement from food lpi.oregonstate.edu (since few foods naturally contain vitamin D) – though many take supplements. Iron: About 11–12% of U.S. women 15–49 are anemic cdc.gov (and the rate has risen slightly over the past two decades). Iron deficiency anemia particularly affects women with heavy menstrual cycles, pregnant women, and teen girls. Meanwhile, men and post-menopausal women have much lower anemia rates. Other common gaps: According to national surveys, large portions of Americans do not meet requirements for vitamin E (≈88% inadequate), magnesium (≈52%), vitamin A (≈43%), vitamin C (≈39%), and calcium (≈44%) lpi.oregonstate.edu. In short, many Americans are overfed but undernourished in terms of micronutrients – diets high in processed foods leave people low in essential vitamins/minerals. Folate is a relative bright spot in the US, since grain products are fortified, greatly reducing folate deficiency in the general population. |
Sources: The data above come from a variety of sources including the Global Nutrition Report country profiles (for anemia rates) globalnutritionreport.org globalnutritionreport.org globalnutritionreport.org, scientific studies and reviews on vitamin D and other nutrients nature.com mynutriapp.com cambridge.org, and national health surveys or databases (e.g., the Linus Pauling Institute analysis of US NHANES data lpi.oregonstate.edu). Each specific statistic is accompanied by a citation.
Common themes and final thoughts
As we can see, vitamin D deficiency stands out across most of these OECD countries. Despite different climates, lifestyles have changed such that people get less sun exposure (office jobs, urban living), and diets often do not compensate. It is not just a northern Europe issue – even sunny countries show surprisingly high vitamin D gaps researchgate.net. Food fortification and supplements are key strategies being used (e.g. Finland’s success in raising vitamin D levels through fortification is a positive example iadsa.org).
Iron deficiency (and anemia) is another universal concern, particularly for women. In nearly every listed country, roughly 10–20% (or more) of women of reproductive age are anemic, largely due to insufficient iron intake to offset menstrual losses globalnutritionreport.org pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This can lead to fatigue, impaired work performance, and other health issues. Addressing it means promoting iron-rich foods (or supplementation when needed) and in some cases food fortification (the UK, for example, adds iron to white flour by law).
Other gaps include omega-3 fatty acids – many Western diets lack enough oily fish, resulting in low omega-3 levels (blood studies show very low Omega-3 Index in North America and much of Europe sciencedirect.com). This has prompted dietary advice to eat fish twice a week or consider fish oil supplements for heart health. Folate (vitamin B9) is inadequate in places without fortification; recognizing this, countries like the UK are now moving to fortify flour, learning from the US and Canada where fortification sharply reduced folate deficiency. Iodine deficiency, once common, has improved in many OECD countries through iodized salt – yet if people shift to gourmet non-iodized salts or eat out often (where iodized salt isn’t mandated), mild iodine deficiency can re-emerge mynutriapp.com. It is a reminder that even “old-fashioned” deficiencies can return if public health measures aren’t maintained.
In a nutshell, even affluent countries battle “hidden hunger” – a shortage of micronutrients in the diet. Modern processed-food diets give plenty of calories but not always enough vitamins and minerals lpi.oregonstate.edu. The overall picture across these OECD nations is broadly similar:
vitamin D and iron are the headline deficiencies,
with others like folate, iodine, calcium, vitamin B12, magnesium, and omega-3 also appearing frequently. Each country has its nuances (e.g. Finland doing well on vitamin D, Turkey struggling more with anemia), but no country is free from nutritional shortfalls.
The good news is that awareness is growing. Many governments now issue vitamin D recommendations, encourage balanced diets (more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish), and consider fortification policies for key nutrients. Individuals are also becoming more aware, sometimes taking multivitamins or specific supplements. Tackling these nutrient gaps is important for long-term health – addressing them can improve energy levels, immune function, bone health, and overall well-being of the population.
By keeping the focus broad (across various nutrients) and looking at data from multiple countries, we get a clear understanding: nutritional deficiencies are a shared challenge in the OECD, and a comprehensive approach – involving diet diversification, fortification, and supplementation where appropriate – is needed to ensure populations get all the nutrients they need. Each statistic above underscores the areas to improve, and with continued efforts, these numbers can gradually move in the right direction.
