OBJECTIVES: Low back pain (LBP) is a pain syndrome with nociceptive pain (NcP), neuropathic pain (NeP) or both pain components (mixed pain). Neuropathic pain component (NePC) in LBP is defined as presence of NeP with or without NcP. Diagnosing NePC is important since it poses a therapeutic challenge apart from adversely affecting patient’s health related quality of life. The present meta-analysis is conducted with an aim to assess the pooled prevalence of NePC in patients with LBP and the factors causing significant heterogeneity in reported prevalence.  METHODS: Systematic search was conducted in databases including Medline and EMBASE till August 2015. Epidemiological studies reported the prevalence of NeP in patients with LBP using standard methods of diagnosis were included. Pooled prevalence rate (PR) of NePC, exclusive NeP, mixed pain and NcP in patients with LBP was calculated. Pre specified subgroup analysis was done according to LBP duration, presence of leg pain, diagnostic method used and pathology involved.  RESULTS:  A total of 20 studies having 14,269 patients with LBP, of whom 7,969 patients (55.8%) were diagnosed with NePC were included. PPR (95% CI) of NePC (n=20), exclusive NeP (n=7), mixed pain (n=7), NcP (n=20) in patients with LBP was found to be 47% (40 - 54), 23% (11 - 34), 28% (23 - 34) and 56% (48 - 63), respectively. Higher prevalence of NePC was found in patients having LBP with leg pain and diagnosing NeP using questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS:   High prevalence of NePC was observed in patients with LBP and increased prevalence is associated with increased duration of disease, presence of leg pain and diagnosis being made using questionnaires. This poses significant management implications.