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Cancer rates by Human Development Index

Overall, cancer incidence is higher in more developed countries, but rates of cancer are rising in many lower income countries.

A graphic of the world with interconnected cities and countries

On this page you can find out about differences in cancer incidence and mortality between more and less developed regions.

Overall, the number of cancer cases and the age-standardised cancer rate (including non-melanoma skin cancer) is higher in more developed countries. There were an estimated 9,296,171 cases in areas with very high human development, compared with 812,211 in areas with low human development in 2022. The age standardised rate for all cancers was 285.7 (per 100,000) in areas with very high human development, compared to 110.6 (per 100,000) in areas with low human development in 2022.

There are also more deaths from cancer in more developed areas. There were an estimated 96 deaths from cancer per 100,000 people in areas with very high human development, compared with 77.3 in areas with low human development in 2022.

Age-standardised rates (ASR) are a summary measure of the rate of disease that a population would have if it had a standard age structure. Standardisation is necessary when comparing populations that differ with respect to age because age has a powerful influence on the risk of developing/dying from cancer.

It is important to note that some countries have a high ASR but a low total number of cases, while other have a low ASR but a high number of cases. This is because ASRs are reported per 100,000 people. So, for example, an ASR of 10 in a population of 100,000 = 10 cases of cancer, but an ASR of 1 in a population of 10 million = 100 cases.


Estimated cancer incidence, including non-melanoma skin cancer, both sexes

Population Number ASR (World)
Very high HDI country 9,296,171 285.7
High HDI country 7,436,122 187.5
Medium HDI country 2,424,245 112.3
Low HDI country 812,211 196.9
Total 19,968,749 196.9

Estimated cancer incidence, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, both cancers

Rank (men) Country Number
Very high HDI country 8,252,293 261.3
High HDI county 7,292,320 184.2
Medium HDI country 2,396,040 111.0
Low HDI country 794,057 108.1
Total 18,734,710 186.5

Estimated cancer mortality, including non-melanoma skin cancer, both sexes

Population Number ASR/100,000
Very high HDI country 3,643,502 96.0
High HDI country 3,991,272 94.5
Medium HDI country 1,560,054 73.1
Low HDI country 544,600 77.3
Total 9,739,428 91.7

Estimated cancer mortality, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, both sexes

Population Number ASR/100,000
Very high HDI country 3,619,668 95.5
High HDI country 3,963,867 93.9
Medium HDI country 1,550,012 72.6
Low HDI country 536,496 76.0
Total 9,670,043 91.1

Notes

The Human Development Index measures average achievement in three key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living.

The health dimension is assessed by life expectancy at birth. The education dimension is measured by mean years of schooling for adults aged 25 years and more, and expected years of schooling for children. The standard of living dimension is measured by gross national income per capita.

The scores for the three indices are then aggregated into a composite index. The Human Development Index captures only part of what human development entails. It does not reflect on inequalities, poverty, human security, empowerment or many other factors. More information can be found here.