IBS is a condition that affects many people around the world. However, the number of people affected can vary widely depending on where you are. In some places, only about 1 in every 100 people have IBS, while in others, it can be as high as nearly half the population. On average, across the globe, about 1 in every 9 people has IBS.  Some studies have shown that 1 in every 5 people have IBS.

Understanding exactly how many people have each type of IBS can be tricky. That's because the symptoms of the different types of IBS can overlap, and they can also change over time. This makes it hard to pin down exact numbers for each type.

But IBS isn't just about the gut. It's also linked to other problems like acid reflux, and it can even be connected to conditions like chronic pelvic pain. Some experts wonder if conditions like IBS and chronic pelvic pain might be really just one problem.

Interestingly, women and younger people are more likely to get IBS. This is especially true if they've had severe gastrointestinal infections before.

People with IBS often also have mental health issues like anxiety or depression. These problems show up more often than expected, so they're grouped together as "somatic symptom disorder." It's like a big term that includes IBS and other similar health issues.

If someone in your family has IBS, you might be more likely to get it too. Certain things in your life, like stress or the kind of food you eat, can also increase your chances of getting IBS.

References

Enck P, Aziz Q, Barbara G, Farmer AD, Fukudo S, Mayer EA, Niesler B, Quigley EM, Rajilić-Stojanović M, Schemann M, Schwille-Kiuntke J, Simren M, Zipfel S, Spiller RC. Irritable bowel syndrome. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016 Mar 24;2:16014. 

Ford AC, Sperber AD, Corsetti M, Camilleri M. Irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet. 2020 Nov 21;396(10263):1675-1688. 

"Within the intricate workings of the body, gastrointestinal troubles are the storm clouds that disrupt the calm, reminding us of the delicate balance within."