Global opiate use has remained broadly stable, with slight declines in the prevalence of use.

• The number of people using opiates worldwide has remained stable over the last five years, while the annual prevalence of use declined slightly from 0.61 per cent in 2020 to 0.57 per cent in 2023 and 2024.
• Estimated global prevalence of opiate use in the past year was significantly higher among men, at 0.96 per cent than among women at 0.15 per cent in 2024.
• Asia accounts for the largest number of past-year opiate users and has a relatively high prevalence of use, particularly South Asia and Central Asia and Transcaucasia.