Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is a common disease worldwide, with 2.7 million people having a history of UBC at any given time. The incidence of UBC varies globally, with higher rates in developed countries. However, the burden of UBC is expected to increase in less developed areas due to global changes in risk factors and population growth. UBC is the seventh most common cancer in men and the seventeenth in women. In 2002, approximately 356,000 new cases were reported globally, with higher rates in developed areas. The incidence varies significantly between regions, with developed areas having higher rates. The risk of UBC is higher in Western men and women, with about 1 in 25 men and 1 in 80 women developing UBC in their lifetime. UBC mortality is less variable globally, with lower rates in developing countries. The global prevalence of UBC is estimated at 2.7 million people. In Western communities, UBC incidence and mortality have decreased over the last decades, largely due to reduced smoking and occupational chemical exposure. In developing countries, the burden of UBC is expected to increase due to rising smoking rates and exposure to occupational chemicals. The aging population will also increase the burden of UBC in developing countries. The global burden of UBC is highest in developed countries, but with increasing exposure to risk factors, a shift is expected to the developing world. Preventing UBC through smoking cessation and reducing occupational chemical exposure can significantly reduce the burden. Urgent action is needed to control cancer in developing areas, focusing on primary prevention of smoking and strict regulation of carcinogen exposure in the workplace.Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is a common disease worldwide, with 2.7 million people having a history of UBC at any given time. The incidence of UBC varies globally, with higher rates in developed countries. However, the burden of UBC is expected to increase in less developed areas due to global changes in risk factors and population growth. UBC is the seventh most common cancer in men and the seventeenth in women. In 2002, approximately 356,000 new cases were reported globally, with higher rates in developed areas. The incidence varies significantly between regions, with developed areas having higher rates. The risk of UBC is higher in Western men and women, with about 1 in 25 men and 1 in 80 women developing UBC in their lifetime. UBC mortality is less variable globally, with lower rates in developing countries. The global prevalence of UBC is estimated at 2.7 million people. In Western communities, UBC incidence and mortality have decreased over the last decades, largely due to reduced smoking and occupational chemical exposure. In developing countries, the burden of UBC is expected to increase due to rising smoking rates and exposure to occupational chemicals. The aging population will also increase the burden of UBC in developing countries. The global burden of UBC is highest in developed countries, but with increasing exposure to risk factors, a shift is expected to the developing world. Preventing UBC through smoking cessation and reducing occupational chemical exposure can significantly reduce the burden. Urgent action is needed to control cancer in developing areas, focusing on primary prevention of smoking and strict regulation of carcinogen exposure in the workplace.