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?

Australia New Zealand Ireland Hungary United States Belgium France (metropolitan) Denmark Norway Netherlands

What are the countries with the lowest cancer rates?

Israel French Polynesia Lebanon Bulgaria French Guiana Austria Japan Singapore Malta Martinique (France)

Highest versus lowest: