Cancer incidence rates by country
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Global Cancer Incidence Rates by Country
Worldwide Cancer Incidence: Key Patterns and Regional Differences
Globally, cancer incidence rates show significant variation by country and region. In 2022, there were nearly 20 million new cancer cases worldwide, with incidence rates ranging from over 500 per 100,000 in Australia/New Zealand to under 100 per 100,000 in Western Africa for men, and from over 400 per 100,000 in Australia/New Zealand to about 100 per 100,000 in South-Central Asia for women. These differences are influenced by factors such as economic development, lifestyle, and access to healthcare 568.
High-income countries (HICs) generally have the highest cancer incidence rates, particularly for cancers like lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate. However, some low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are now experiencing rising rates for these cancers as well, often due to the adoption of Western lifestyles 478. In contrast, LMICs continue to bear a disproportionate burden of infection-related cancers, such as cervical, liver, and stomach cancers 47.
Most Common Cancers by Country and Region
The most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide are lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. In 2022, lung cancer was the most common globally (12.4% of all cases), followed by female breast (11.6%), colorectal (9.6%), and prostate (7.3%) cancers. Lung cancer also remains the leading cause of cancer death, responsible for 1.8 million deaths, followed by colorectal, liver, breast, and stomach cancers 568.
In high-income countries, breast cancer is the most common among women, while lung cancer is most common among men. In many transitioning countries, the incidence of colorectal and lung cancers is rising, sometimes surpassing rates seen in Western countries 479. For example, colorectal cancer rates among men in the Czech Republic and Slovakia have exceeded those in the United States .
Cancer Incidence in Europe
Europe accounts for about 25% of the global cancer burden despite having only 9% of the world’s population. In 2020, there were an estimated 4 million new cancer cases and 1.9 million cancer deaths in Europe. The most common cancers were breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate, together making up half of all cases. Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death, followed by colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers 123.
Within Europe, incidence rates and cancer types vary by country. For example, the highest lung cancer rates among men are found in Eastern Europe, while breast cancer is most common in Western and Northern Europe 123.
Trends and Projections
While cancer incidence rates for many common cancers are stabilizing or declining in high-income countries due to prevention, early detection, and improved treatment, rates are increasing in many low- and middle-income countries. This is largely due to increased smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity, as well as population aging and growth 467.
Projections indicate that the global cancer burden will continue to rise, with new cases expected to reach 35 million by 2050. The increase will be most pronounced in transitioning countries, where rates of cancers associated with Western lifestyles are rising rapidly 56.
Country-Specific Insights: Lung and Colorectal Cancer
Lung cancer incidence is projected to decrease among men but increase among women in many countries by 2035. The highest rates among men are expected in Belarus, and among women in Denmark. China is projected to have the largest number of new lung cancer cases .
Colorectal cancer incidence is increasing in many economically transitioning countries, especially in Eastern Europe, Asia, and parts of South America. The United States is one of the few countries where colorectal cancer rates have declined in both men and women, likely due to effective screening and prevention programs .
Conclusion
Cancer incidence rates vary widely by country, reflecting differences in economic development, lifestyle, and healthcare systems. High-income countries have the highest overall rates, but many low- and middle-income countries are experiencing rapid increases in cancers linked to Western lifestyles. The global cancer burden is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades, especially in transitioning countries, highlighting the need for targeted prevention, early detection, and improved cancer care worldwide 4567+1 MORE.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic