This systematic review examines the epidemiology of neuropathic pain in the general population, focusing on prevalence and incidence rates. The study searches electronic databases from January 1966 to December 2012 and includes 21 articles that meet the criteria. These studies differ in data retrieval methods, case ascertainment tools, and presentation of rates, making a meta-analysis impossible. The review categorizes comparable incidence and prevalence rates into two main subgroups: chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics (3-17%) and neuropathic pain associated with specific conditions (e.g., postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, glossopharyngeal neuralgia). The best-estimate population prevalence of neuropathic pain is likely between 6.9% and 10%. The review highlights the need for standardized approaches to identify neuropathic pain in future epidemiological studies.This systematic review examines the epidemiology of neuropathic pain in the general population, focusing on prevalence and incidence rates. The study searches electronic databases from January 1966 to December 2012 and includes 21 articles that meet the criteria. These studies differ in data retrieval methods, case ascertainment tools, and presentation of rates, making a meta-analysis impossible. The review categorizes comparable incidence and prevalence rates into two main subgroups: chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics (3-17%) and neuropathic pain associated with specific conditions (e.g., postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, glossopharyngeal neuralgia). The best-estimate population prevalence of neuropathic pain is likely between 6.9% and 10%. The review highlights the need for standardized approaches to identify neuropathic pain in future epidemiological studies.