Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is a common disease globally, with 2.7 million people having a history of UBC at any given time. The incidence of UBC varies significantly worldwide, with the highest rates in developed communities. However, the burden of UBC is expected to increase in less developed areas due to global changes in risk factor exposure and population growth and aging. In developed countries, UBC incidence and mortality have decreased over the last decades, primarily due to reduced cigarette smoking and occupational chemical exposure. In contrast, the burden of UBC is expected to strongly increase in developing countries as smoking prevalence rises and occupational hygiene standards improve. The shift in the geography of smoking and occupational carcinogens, along with population aging, will contribute to a significant rise in UBC incidence in the future. To address this global burden, urgent action is needed in developing areas to prevent smoking and protect workers from carcinogens, while Western communities should focus on managing the increasing healthcare demand due to population aging.Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is a common disease globally, with 2.7 million people having a history of UBC at any given time. The incidence of UBC varies significantly worldwide, with the highest rates in developed communities. However, the burden of UBC is expected to increase in less developed areas due to global changes in risk factor exposure and population growth and aging. In developed countries, UBC incidence and mortality have decreased over the last decades, primarily due to reduced cigarette smoking and occupational chemical exposure. In contrast, the burden of UBC is expected to strongly increase in developing countries as smoking prevalence rises and occupational hygiene standards improve. The shift in the geography of smoking and occupational carcinogens, along with population aging, will contribute to a significant rise in UBC incidence in the future. To address this global burden, urgent action is needed in developing areas to prevent smoking and protect workers from carcinogens, while Western communities should focus on managing the increasing healthcare demand due to population aging.