To analyze the folate status among women of childbearing age worldwide from 2000 to 2020, and explore the impact of socioeconomic factors on folate status, so as to provide support for the formulation of relevant supplementary policies in China in the future.

The "folate" "folic acid" "deficiency" "status" "women" "childbearing" and "reproductive" were used as Chinese and English keywords to systematically search CNKI and PubMed database. Global Health Data Exchange database (GDHx), Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia datasets (BRINDA) and Ground Work publications were systematically searched with "micronutrients" and "nutrition" as keywords. The retrieval time was from January 1, 2000 to August 31, 2020, and the language was restricted to English and Chinese. After title, abstract and full-text screening, a total of 45 literatures were included. The folate status of women of childbearing age in the eligible literature was analyzed, and the income and folate status were tested by Kruskal Wallis H test and Nemenyi test.

The M (Q₁, Q₃) of serum folate deficiency rate and erythrocyte folate insufficiency rate in women of childbearing age were 15.0% (3.5%, 37.0%) and 49.0% (22.0%, 83.0%). There were great differences in serum folate status and serum folate deficiency rate among women of childbearing age in different income countries. The serum folate deficiency rate of women of childbearing age in low-income countries was significantly higher than that in middle and high-income countries.

The folate status of women of childbearing age in most countries has not reached the ideal state from 2000 to 2020. More studies on folate supplementation programs should be carried out.

Folic acid deficiency; Socioeconomic factors; Women of childbearing age; Folic acid supplement