Due to the sensitivity of the subject, and neglect by the scientific community, systematic surveys have not been undertaken and there are no comprehensive, country-by-country data available on FGM. As part of the National Demographic and Health Surveys, a module has been developed to investigate FGM and is available for use by countries.

On the basis of the information available from a few small scale studies, it is estimated FGM affects between 100 and 132 million girls and women around the world. Each year, a further 2 million girls are estimated to be at risk of the practice. Most of them live in 28 African countries, from the Gambia to Somalia.

FGM is also found in parts of the Middle and Far East, in isolated communities in other parts of the world and among African immigrants in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada.