This study examines the global patterns and trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality, aiming to describe recent patterns and trends and link them to the prospects of reducing the burden through cancer prevention and care. The analysis is based on data from the GLOBOCAN database and the WHO mortality database, covering 37 countries. The results show that CRC incidence and mortality rates vary widely, with distinct gradients across human development levels. In many low-income and middle-income countries, incidence and mortality rates are still rising rapidly, while in highly developed countries, rates are stabilizing or decreasing. The study identifies three patterns of CRC incidence and mortality trends: increasing or stable rates in rapidly transitioning countries, increasing incidence with decreasing mortality in very high HDI countries, and decreasing rates in high HDI countries. The findings highlight the need for targeted resource-dependent interventions, including primary prevention in low-income settings and early detection in high-income settings, to reduce the number of CRC cases in the future.This study examines the global patterns and trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality, aiming to describe recent patterns and trends and link them to the prospects of reducing the burden through cancer prevention and care. The analysis is based on data from the GLOBOCAN database and the WHO mortality database, covering 37 countries. The results show that CRC incidence and mortality rates vary widely, with distinct gradients across human development levels. In many low-income and middle-income countries, incidence and mortality rates are still rising rapidly, while in highly developed countries, rates are stabilizing or decreasing. The study identifies three patterns of CRC incidence and mortality trends: increasing or stable rates in rapidly transitioning countries, increasing incidence with decreasing mortality in very high HDI countries, and decreasing rates in high HDI countries. The findings highlight the need for targeted resource-dependent interventions, including primary prevention in low-income settings and early detection in high-income settings, to reduce the number of CRC cases in the future.