A modelling analysis estimates the global prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes for 15 essential nutrients, identifying dietary gaps in specific demographic groups and countries. Using data from 31 countries and globally harmonized nutrient requirements, the study applies these to median intakes from the Global Dietary Database (GDD) for 34 age-sex groups across 185 countries. The analysis reveals that over 5 billion people globally do not consume enough iodine, vitamin E, and calcium, while over 4 billion lack sufficient iron, riboflavin, folate, and vitamin C. In the same countries and age groups, women have higher inadequate intakes for iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium, while men have higher intakes for magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamin, and niacin. The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to address these deficiencies. The analysis provides the first global estimates of inadequate micronutrient intakes using dietary data, emphasizing the prevalence of nutrient gaps and variability by sex. It also notes that existing data on micronutrient deficiencies and supplies are limited, and supply-based estimates are often inaccurate. The study uses a novel approach to estimate nutrient intake distributions, accounting for the shape of intake distributions and using globally harmonized nutrient reference values. The results can help public health practitioners identify populations in need of intervention. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with no role in study design or interpretation. The findings show that the majority of the global population has inadequate micronutrient intake, with significant variations by sex and region. The study underscores the importance of addressing micronutrient deficiencies through dietary interventions, biofortification, and supplementation. The results are made publicly available for further research and application.A modelling analysis estimates the global prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes for 15 essential nutrients, identifying dietary gaps in specific demographic groups and countries. Using data from 31 countries and globally harmonized nutrient requirements, the study applies these to median intakes from the Global Dietary Database (GDD) for 34 age-sex groups across 185 countries. The analysis reveals that over 5 billion people globally do not consume enough iodine, vitamin E, and calcium, while over 4 billion lack sufficient iron, riboflavin, folate, and vitamin C. In the same countries and age groups, women have higher inadequate intakes for iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium, while men have higher intakes for magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamin, and niacin. The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to address these deficiencies. The analysis provides the first global estimates of inadequate micronutrient intakes using dietary data, emphasizing the prevalence of nutrient gaps and variability by sex. It also notes that existing data on micronutrient deficiencies and supplies are limited, and supply-based estimates are often inaccurate. The study uses a novel approach to estimate nutrient intake distributions, accounting for the shape of intake distributions and using globally harmonized nutrient reference values. The results can help public health practitioners identify populations in need of intervention. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with no role in study design or interpretation. The findings show that the majority of the global population has inadequate micronutrient intake, with significant variations by sex and region. The study underscores the importance of addressing micronutrient deficiencies through dietary interventions, biofortification, and supplementation. The results are made publicly available for further research and application.