In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the 20 countries with the highest rates of cancer. For a quick overview of the top five countries, read our article 5 Countries With Highest Rates of Cancer.
Cancer, a pervasive and devastating disease, leaves a profound global impact. Also known as malignant tumors or neoplasms, cancer encompasses a wide array of illnesses that can emerge in various parts of the body. One of its defining features is the rapid growth of abnormal cells that surpass their normal limits, infiltrating nearby tissues and possibly metastasizing to other organs. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, accounting for almost one in six deaths globally. In addition, the World Cancer Research Fund estimates that 18,094,716 million cases of cancer were diagnosed that same year. When considering all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and combining data for both men and women, the age-standardized rate was 190 cases per 100,000 individuals. Notably, this rate was higher among men, with 206.9 cases per 100,000, compared to women, who had a rate of 178.1 cases per 100,000 individuals. In the global context, Europeans are disproportionately affected by cancer. While Europeans make up only one-tenth of the world population, about 25% of all annual cancer cases occur in Europe.
The field of oncology represents a vast and swiftly expanding domain within biopharmaceutical research and development (R&D). According to Precedence Research, the global oncology market surpassed an impressive value of $203 billion in 2022, and it is estimated to continue growing with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% until 2032, reaching a significant value of $470.61 billion. Notably, within this growth trajectory, the hospital segment is projected to experience even more rapid expansion, with a forecasted CAGR of 10.9% during the specified period.
On the other hand, the field of cancer vaccines has also gained significant global attention. Cancer treatment vaccines differ from the vaccines designed to combat viruses. The primary goal of cancer treatment vaccines is to stimulate the immune system to target and attack cancer cells present within the body. Unlike preventive vaccines that aim to stop diseases from occurring, cancer treatment vaccines are intended to trigger an immune response against an existing disease, encouraging the immune system to combat and potentially eradicate cancerous cells. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) have joined forces to develop a promising vaccine, combining an mRNA cancer vaccine with Moderna's Keytruda®. On July 26, the companies announced that the enrollment of patients had commenced for a late-stage clinical trial. Promising results from a mid-stage study involving 157 patients revealed that the combination of the vaccine and Keytruda significantly reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 44% in individuals with melanoma, the most fatal type of skin cancer, compared to the use of Keytruda alone. The progress in these areas showcases the increasing promise and dedication to enhancing cancer treatment using innovative vaccine strategies. If you're interested in learning more information about companies engaged in oncology and vaccine development, our list of the 11 Most Promising Cancer Stocks According to Analysts provides valuable insights.
20 Countries With Highest Rates of Cancer
Our Methodology
For our list of the countries with the highest rates of cancer, we used the 2020 data from the World Cancer Research Fund which recorded the number of cancer cases across the globe. The countries on this list are ranked according to the cancer incidence rates per 100,000 individuals for that year.
20. Germany
Cancer Incidence Rate: 281.9
In 2019, approximately 231,000 individuals succumbed to cancer in Germany, with 125,000 being men and 106,000 being women. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) highlights that a quarter of all deaths in the country during that period were attributed to cancer. Remarkably, this proportion remained nearly constant over a span of 20 years, despite a 10% increase in the number of cancer-related deaths compared to the figures recorded in 1999.
19. Japan
Cancer Incidence Rate: 282.9
Cancer is the most common cause of death for Japanese people who are 40 and over. According to a Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare report, in the year 2020, Japan saw a total of 378,356 cancer-related deaths, constituting 27.6% of all deaths that year, which means one out of every four deaths was due to cancer. The cancer death rate, measured as the number of deaths per 100,000 individuals, showed a steady increase, reaching 307.0 in 2020. For men, the highest death rate from cancer was attributed to lung cancer, causing 53,244 deaths, while the most prevalent cause of cancer-related death among women, with 24,069 deaths, was colorectal cancer.
18. Croatia
Cancer Incidence Rate: 284.1
Despite spending more than the EU average on cancer treatment, Croatia's cancer mortality rate remains significantly elevated. While it ranks among the countries with the highest cancer rates, the country also has the second-highest cancer mortality rate among European Union (EU) countries, after Hungary, exceeding the EU average by 25%. According to WCRF statistics, Croatia recorded 25,001 cancer cases in 2020.
17. Canada
Cancer Incidence Rate: 287.4
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, and 43% of all people in the country are expected to receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) reveals that although overall cancer rates in Canada are on a decline, the number of cases and deaths is showing a slight increase due to factors like population growth and an aging population. The study, conducted collaboratively by the Canadian Cancer Society, Statistics Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada, projects an estimated 233,900 new cancer cases and 85,100 cancer-related deaths in Canada for the year 2022. This marks an increase from the estimated figures of 229,200 cancer cases and 84,600 cancer deaths in the year 2021.
16. Lithuania
Cancer Incidence Rate: 287.5
Cancer stands as the second leading cause of death in Lithuania. Among all cancer-related deaths, lung, colorectal, and stomach cancers are the most commonly reported causes. Based on the estimates by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, Lithuania was projected to experience approximately 16,600 new cancer cases and over 8,000 cancer-related deaths in 2020. The overall cancer mortality rate in Lithuania was expected to surpass the EU average.
15. Slovakia
Cancer Incidence Rate: 290.4
Cancer mortality remains alarmingly high in Slovakia. Lung and colorectal cancer stand out as the most prevalent causes of cancer-related deaths among the Slovak population, despite witnessing slight reductions in mortality rates since the year 2000. Nearly 30 000 new cases of cancer were recorded in Slovakia in 2020. Although the country implemented a national cancer plan in 2018, whose primary objectives were to lower the incidence of cancer cases, reduce cancer-related mortality rates, and enhance the overall quality of life for patients affected by oncological diseases, nearly 13,700 individuals succumbed to cancer in Slovakia, placing the country second in the EU in terms of cancer mortality in 2019.
14. Serbia
Cancer Incidence Rate: 291.6
Ranking high among the countries with the highest rates of cancer, central Serbia reported nearly 30,000 new cancer cases, excluding the autonomous regions of Kosovo and Vojvodina, which was a significant increase from 19,000 cases recorded in 1999. Despite advancements in treatment options, the death toll in 2018 reached 15,500, as opposed to 12,000 in 1999. According to the 2020 statistics, Serbia recorded almost 50,000 instances of cancer, out of a population of nearly 7 million.
13. New Zealand
Cancer Incidence Rate: 295.3
In New Zealand (Aotearoa), approximately 25,000 people receive a cancer diagnosis each year, with almost 3,000 of those individuals being Māori. The most commonly diagnosed cancers include breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers. However, cancer incidence patterns have shown changes over time, with some types, such as stomach and lung cancers, decreasing, while others, like liver and pancreatic cancers, are on the rise. Lung cancer and colorectal cancer contribute to the highest number of cancer-related deaths each year, accounting for around 1,700 and 1,200 fatalities, respectively. However, the country has seen substantial improvements in cancer survival rates over the past two decades, resulting in more people overcoming the disease.
12. Latvia
Cancer Incidence Rate: 296.1
Latvia faces considerable cancer incidence rates, as indicated by data from the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) of the Joint Research Centre. Based on pre-pandemic incidence trends, it was estimated that nearly 12,400 new cancer cases would be diagnosed in 2020. The age-standardized rate of new cancer cases per 100,000 population that year was was 606, which is approximately 7% higher than the EU average of 569 per 100,000 population. Prostate cancer was expected to have the highest number of new cases, with 219 per 100,000 population, followed by breast cancer (109 per 100,000 population), colorectal cancer (87 per 100,000 population), and lung cancer (60 per 100,000 population).
11. United Kingdom
Cancer Incidence Rate: 296.1
Cancer remains a significant health issue in the UK, with a substantial number of new cases being diagnosed each year. According to a recent analysis conducted by Cancer Research UK, it is projected that over 500,000 people in the United Kingdom will receive cancer diagnoses annually by the year 2040. This represents a one-third increase from the current average 384,000 cases diagnosed each year, reaching a total of 506,000 new cases annually, surpassing half a million for the first time. While there are positive aspects, such as anticipated reductions in mortality rates for several cancer types, the absolute number of deaths is expected to rise by nearly a quarter to reach 208,000. The report predicts a total of approximately 8.4 million new cancer cases and an estimated 3.5 million cancer-related deaths between 2023 and 2040.
10. United States
Cancer Incidence Rate: 297.3
One of the countries suffering from high cancer rates, it is projected that around 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2023. Furthermore, the American Cancer Society predicts that approximately 609,820 individuals in the United States will lose their lives to cancer in 2023, equivalent to approximately 1670 deaths per day. In terms of gender-specific statistics, the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in men are expected to be lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers. On the other hand, for women, the most significant causes of death are projected to be lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.
9. Slovenia
Cancer Incidence Rate: 300.2
In the 1960s, Slovenia took a significant step by establishing its national cancer registry, which proved instrumental in monitoring cancer incidence across the country. However, during the 1990s, a concerning rise in cervical cancer rates drew attention from experts and prompted the implementation of ZORA, Slovenia's national cervical cancer screening program. According to the WCRF, more than 13,000 cancer incidences were reported in 2020.
8. Norway
Cancer Incidence Rate: 312.3
In Norway, one out of every three individuals below the age of 75 has received at least one cancer diagnosis. Across the entire population, the number of people with cancer in their medical history has now reached almost 300,000. Between 2017 and 2021, the age group with the highest cancer incidence in Norway was 70 to 74 years. Within this age group, the cancer incidence rate was higher in men compared to women. Specifically, the incidence rate for men was 19.1%, while for women, it was 14.3%.
7. Australia
Cancer Incidence Rate: 312.3
Cancer continues to be a significant contributor to illness and mortality in Australia. The estimated figures for 2021 indicate that approximately 151,000 Australians will receive a cancer diagnosis (equivalent to 413 cases per day), while 49,000 individuals are expected to lose their lives to cancer (equivalent to 135 deaths per day). In terms of cancer diagnosis, breast cancer is the most prevalent, closely followed by prostate cancer. However, when considering cancer-related mortality in 2021, lung cancer was projected to cause more deaths than any other cancer type, with colorectal cancer ranking second in terms of fatalities.
6. The Netherlands
Cancer Incidence Rate: 315.1
According to data collected by the OECD on behalf of the European Commission, the annual death rate for cancer patients in the Netherlands is higher than the European average, with the country also recording one of the highest rates of cancer in Europe. The findings also revealed that Dutch men had a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer compared to Dutch women, with 759 new cases per 100,000 people for men and 577 for women. Similarly to trends across Europe, the most common cancers in the Netherlands include prostate, breast, colorectal (colon), and lung cancers, with the latter three also being the primary causes of death among cancer patients.
