Which Countries Have the Highest and Lowest Cancer Rates? [Updated 2019]

There were an estimated 18 million cancer cases around the world in 2018, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. Of those cases, the United States had the fifth highest number of new diagnoses, with 352 cases per 100,000 people.

These statistics are age-standardized — a summary measure of the rate of disease that a population would have if it had a standard age structure. Age has a powerful influence on the risk of dying from cancer, therefore standardization is necessary when comparing populations that differ in respects to age.

What are the countries with the highest cancer rates?

1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. Ireland
4. Hungary
5. United States
6. Belgium
7. France (metropolitan)
8. Denmark
9. Norway
10. Netherlands

What are the countries with the lowest cancer rates?

1. Israel
2. French Polynesia
3. Lebanon
4. Bulgaria
5. French Guiana
6. Austria
7. Japan
8. Singapore
9. Malta
10. Martinique (France)

Highest versus lowest:

• Australia: 468 per 100,000 (46.8 people)
• Israel: 233.6 per 100,000 (23.4 people)