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Migraine statistics: Prevalence, demographics, and impact

In the U.S., 35 million people are affected by migraines. Get updated migraine stats here.
By | Updated on Apr. 13, 2026 Medically reviewed by Jesse P. Houghton, MD, FACG
The back of a person's head with cartoon lightning bolts above it: Migraine statistics
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Migraines are a common type of headache disorder that can cause intense, pulsating pain. Migraines can be debilitating, making it difficult to work, enjoy hobbies, or even perform basic self-care. While it’s challenging to live with any kind of head pain, there are treatments available that can help. Keep reading to learn more about migraine statistics, including how common they are, who gets them, and what treatments are available.

What is a migraine?

“A migraine is clinically defined as a specific type of headache that is felt more intensely, and usually has accompanying symptoms in addition to the pain felt in the head,” says Vernon Williams, MD, a board-certified neurologist, pain management specialist, and founding director of the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles.

“The pain from a migraine can be very severe and interfere with activities of daily life. Like headaches, migraines can be brief, lasting only a few hours, or the pain can stick around for several days.”

According to the International Headache Society, using the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), to make the diagnosis of migraine, a patient must have:

At least 5 attacks fulfilling the following criteria:

Headache lasting 4–72 hours (untreated or unsuccessfully treated)

With at least 2 of these 4 characteristics:

  • Unilateral location
  • Pulsating (throbbing) quality
  • Moderate to severe intensity
  • Aggravation by routine physical activity (e.g., walking, climbing stairs)

Plus at least 1 of the following associated symptoms:

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia)

And:

  • No other diagnosis to explain these symptoms (such as an injury or tumor).

This type of headache is usually diagnosed based on the symptoms a person experiences. To confirm the diagnosis, your healthcare provider may ask about family history and perform a physical exam. They may also order imaging tests to rule out other health problems that may cause similar symptoms.

In some cases, a healthcare professional may ask you to keep a log of all your migraine symptoms or suggest a consultation with a neurologist or headache specialist who has experience in the treatment of migraines.

Related: Migraine facts

How common are headache disorders?

Other types of headache disorders include tension headache and chronic daily headache (headaches occurring for more than 15 days in a month).

Migraine statistics worldwide

  • Migraines affect 2 in 5 people globally (WHO, 2025).
  • More than 3 billion people experience migraines worldwide (WHO, 2025).
  • Headache disorders affect people of all ages, races, social classes, and countries (WHO, 2025).
  • Migraine is the second leading cause of disability around the world (The Journal of Headache and Pain, 2020). 
  • Brazil and Belgium have the highest migraine rates worldwide (Pain and Therapy, 2024).
  • In Germany, around 10% of teenagers have migraines (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, 2022).
  • More than 10 million people live with migraines in the United Kingdom (The Migraine Trust, 2024).
  • Nearly 1 in 3 Italian women experience migraine (Neurological Sciences, 2022).
  • Only 50% of people with migraine have seen a healthcare provider for headache-related reasons in the past 12 months (WHO, 2025).

U.S. migraine statistics

  • About 12% to 15% of Americans have migraine (Headache, 2024).
  • Migraines affect over 40 million people in the United States (AMF, 2019).
  • 1 in every 4 American households has a member who suffers from migraines (AMF, 2019).
  • More than 4 million Americans visited the emergency department for head pain in 2022, making it the sixth most common reason for such visits (National Center for Health Statistics).

Migraine statistics by age

  • Infant colic and cyclic vomiting in children may be early signs of migraines (American Headache Society (AHS)).
  • Around 10% of children and 28% of teens experience migraines (AMF, 2019; Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
  • The majority of migraine sufferers begin having migraines during puberty. (WHO, 2025)
  • Common migraine triggers can change with age. Stress often triggers migraines in kids and teens, but hormone fluctuations, pain, smoking, and alcohol consumption tend to be common triggers in adulthood. (AHS). 
  • Migraines are most prevalent in adults aged 20 to 40 (Aging and Disease, 2023).
  • Migraine symptoms decrease with age, with roughly 5% of people over the age of 75 reporting either migraine or severe headaches (The American Journal of Managed Care, 2019).
  • A 31-year global analysis suggests migraines are becoming more common among adolescents (Pain and Therapy, 2024).

Migraine statistics by sex

  • Migraine headaches are equally common in boys and girls until puberty (AMF, 2018).
  • After puberty, women are 3 times more prone to migraines than men (Life, 2024).
  • Women make up about 75% of people with migraine (Society for Women’s Health Research, 2021).
  • Women are 1.34 times more likely than men to experience severe disability due to migraine (Neurological Sciences, 2022). 

Migraine statistics by race and ethnicity

  • In the United States, migraines affect as many as 1.5 million African American men (Headache, 2020).
  • 72% of white people with migraine seek medical care for their headaches compared to 46% of Black people with migraine (AMF, 2021).
  • Only 14% of African American headache patients receive prescriptions for acute migraine medications, compared to 37% of white headache patients (AMF, 2021).
  • White children with headaches are more likely to be diagnosed with migraine and receive more testing and more intensive treatment in emergency departments compared to Black and Hispanic children (GW Authored Works, 2025). 
  • Indigenous Americans are more likely to experience migraines or severe headaches (Headache, 2018).
  • Prescription medications that help prevent migraine are used by 20% of white people, 10% of Hispanic people, and 7% of Black people with migraine (Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2025).

Chronic migraine statistics

  • Chronic migraines are defined as having 15 or more headaches each month for a minimum of three months, in which at least 8 of the 15 headaches meet the definition of migraine (International Headache Society).
  • About 1% to 2% of the population experiences chronic migraine worldwide, which is about 80 to 160 million people (Chronic migraine, Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
  • About 1 in 13 migraine patients have chronic migraine (Society for Women’s Health Research, 2021).

Migraine and overall health

Migraines can be debilitating and have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. You may not be able to perform everyday activities or go to work or school. In severe cases, you may need to go to the emergency room. Because of this, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to help lessen the frequency and severity of your migraines.

  • People with migraine face an increased risk of more than 75 comorbid conditions (Association of Migraine Disorders).
  • Those with migraine are nearly four times more likely to experience insomnia (Comorbid, The Journal of Headache and Pain, 2020).
  • The risk of anxiety, depression, and gastric ulcer/GI bleeding increases threefold in people with migraine (Comorbid, The Journal of Headache and Pain, 2020).
  • A study of 4,325 patients who were admitted for prolonged hospital stays related to a migraine attack showed that migraines had a significant link to several medical conditions, including mood disorders, chronic renal failure, opioid abuse, and congestive heart failure (The Neurohospitalist, 2016).
  • While migraines don’t commonly cause death, migraine with aura has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (The Journal of Headache and Pain, 2020).
  • According to a UK survey, 34% of people with migraine have suicidal thoughts (The Migraine Trust, 2024), highlighting how disabling this condition can be. 

The cost of migraine

  • Americans with migraine spend about $6,000 more, on average, on healthcare costs per year compared to Americans without migraine (Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy, 2024).
  • Researchers estimate that every person with migraine loses about 10 days of work productivity per year due to their symptoms (Headache, 2025). 
  • The U.S. economy loses about $19.3 billion per year due to migraine (The American Journal of Managed Care, 2020).
  • When factoring in the healthcare costs associated with migraine, the total burden to the U.S. economy may be closer to $78 billion per year (Migraine Science Collaborative, 2025).
  • Japan loses about $3 billion in productivity per year due to migraine (Global Patient Advocacy Coalition, 2022).
  • In a UK survey, 27% of people with migraine say the condition has significantly affected their finances (The Migraine Trust, 2024). 
  • The National Institutes of Health spent about $59 million on headache disorder research in 2023 (Migraine Science Collaborative, 2025).

Causes of migraine

“Headaches and migraines are caused when the blood vessels, muscles, and nerves in the head are overstimulated,” Dr. Williams explains. “When these pain-sensitive structures become overactive, or when chemical activity in the brain is altered, we feel the uncomfortable sensations of a headache.”

There are several known causes of migraines, as well as some possible triggers. That said, there’s still much to learn about migraine epidemiology. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to the condition, while others may develop migraines due to psychological or environmental factors.

According to 2021 research published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, an estimated 34% to 64 % of people with migraines have a family history of the condition. Inherited genetic mutations of CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and SCN1A have shown a link to an increased risk for migraines, with many other genetic mutations still under investigation.

Research on environmental factors that may contribute to migraines is limited, but some studies suggest a link between certain chemicals, like MSG (monosodium glutamate), aspartame, and nitrites. According to the National Headache Foundation, other possible environmental factors include weather, lighting, noise, poor air quality, and exposure to certain odors and chemicals.

Dr. Williams notes the most common migraine triggers include:

  • Stress
  • Sensory stimuli (bright lights, loud noises)
  • Changes in sleep or lack of sleep
  • Being hungry or skipping meals
  • Caffeine withdrawal or too much caffeine
  • Certain foods, including chocolate, alcohol, MSG, aged cheeses, processed meats, and aspartame
  • Rigorous physical activity
  • Hormonal changes in women

Related: Silent migraine symptoms: What are the early signs of a silent migraine?

Migraine prevention

For some, making lifestyle changes may help prevent migraines. Dr. Williams explains that the following changes may help reduce the frequency or severity of migraine attacks:

  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
  • Don’t skip meals
  • Aim to get about the same number of hours of sleep every night (between seven and nine)
  • Don’t go overboard on caffeine or alcohol
  • Engage in moderate daily physical activity
  • Practice coping mechanisms, like mindfulness, when stress levels are high

There are also several medications that can be taken on a regular basis to help prevent migraines from occurring. These prophylactic medications include beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. The following migraine medications may be prescribed as preventive treatment:

The government has also put forth initiatives to help raise awareness about migraines and their impact on public health. In June of 2011, the first-ever National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month took place, which aimed to help increase understanding and awareness of the condition. Since then, the awareness month has continued to take place annually in June.

There are also a number of organizations dedicated to helping those with migraines, such as:

  • The American Migraine Foundation
  • The National Headache Foundation
  • Migraine Research Foundation
  • The American Headache Society
  • The Association of Migraine Disorders

Treating migraine

Migraine treatment can be complex, and it may take several tries to find what works best for you. Medications used to treat migraines can be divided into two main categories: those meant for acute treatment of migraines and those meant for prophylactic or preventative treatment.

Acute migraine medications include over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), as well as prescription options like triptans. Triptans, such as Imitrex, Frova, Maxalt, Zomig, Axert, and Relpax, make up a class of medications that work by narrowing blood vessels and blocking pain pathways in the brain. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors like Zavzpret and Ubrelvy can also provide migraine relief by blocking a pain-signaling protein.  

However, be aware of medication overuse headaches and ask a healthcare professional about the best way to take these pain relievers for migraine or cluster headaches.

In addition to medication, there are a number of other possible treatments for migraines, such as:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Biofeedback
  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic care
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Exercise
  • Massage
  • Dietary changes

There are several ongoing clinical trials testing new migraine treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). While trials take years to complete, the hope is that these and other new treatments will provide much-needed relief for those suffering from migraines.

Although there is no cure for migraines, there are a number of ways to help manage the condition and lessen the frequency and severity of attacks. With proper treatment, many people are able to find significant relief from their migraines.

Migraine Financial Assistance & Resources

Migraine questions and answers

How common are migraines?

Migraines affect about 15% of the population globally, as reported by the World Health Organization.

Which country has the highest rate of migraine?

Research published in Pain and Therapy suggests that Brazil and Belgium had the highest rate of migraine in the world in 2021.

What percentage of the U.S. population has migraines?

According to research published in Headache, up to 15% of the U.S. population has a migraine disorder. 

Are migraines genetic?

Research shows there is a genetic component to migraines, but it is not fully understood. According to the Journal of Headache and Pain, as many as 60% of people with migraines have a family history of the condition.

Can migraine be cured?

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for migraines at this time. However, there are several treatment options available that can help lessen the frequency and severity of attacks. Lifestyle changes, prophylactic medications, and acute migraine medications can all be used to help manage migraines.

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