The worldwide prevalence of ODD in children up to the age of 18 years is estimated to be approximately 3% to 4%.[17]Canino G, Polanczyk G, Bauermeister JJ, et al. Does the prevalence of CD and ODD vary across cultures? Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2010 Jul;45(7):695-704.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3124845
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20532864?tool=bestpractice.com
[18]Vasileva M, Graf RK, Reinelt T, et al. Research review: a meta-analysis of the international prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders in children between 1 and 7 years. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2021 Apr;62(4):372-81.
https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.13261
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32433792?tool=bestpractice.com
[19]Li F, Cui Y, Li Y, et al. Prevalence of mental disorders in school children and adolescents in China: diagnostic data from detailed clinical assessments of 17,524 individuals. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2022 Jan;63(1):34-46.
https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jcpp.13445
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34019305?tool=bestpractice.com
[20]Mohammadi MR, Salmanian M, Hooshyari Z, et al. Lifetime prevalence, sociodemographic predictors, and comorbidities of oppositional defiant disorder: the National Epidemiology of Iranian Child and Adolescent Psychiatric disorders (IRCAP). Braz J Psychiatry. 2020 Apr;42(2):162-7.
https://www.scielo.br/j/rbp/a/rn8C8JgBXTrKLrFv7RB735Q/?lang=en
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31433003?tool=bestpractice.com
Although one study has demonstrated a difference in prevalence rates in boys compared with girls (1.6:1.0), this has not been replicated in other studies.[9]Hawes DJ, Gardner F, Dadds MR, et al. Oppositional defiant disorder. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023 Jun 22;9(1):31.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37349322?tool=bestpractice.com
[21]Demmer DH, Hooley M, Sheen J, et al. Sex differences in the prevalence of oppositional defiant disorder during middle childhood: a meta-analysis. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2017 Feb;45(2):313-25.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27282758?tool=bestpractice.com
Over time, and particularly into adolescence, it is thought that boys and girls are equally affected.
There are no robust population prevalence data for adults with ODD.