Skin Cancer Rates by Country 2026

The United States Has the Most New Skin Cancer Cases

The United States recorded the highest total number of new melanoma skin cancer cases in the 2023 dataset (the most recent data available as of 2026), with more than 78,000 new cases reported. Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and China also ranked among the countries with the largest total case counts. Large populations naturally contribute to higher totals, which is why total case numbers and population-adjusted cancer rates often tell different stories.

Men accounted for more melanoma cases than women in several high-income countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and many European nations. In the United States alone, male melanoma cases substantially exceeded female cases in 2023. Countries with large populations and aging demographics tend to report especially high overall skin cancer burdens, even when their rates per 100,000 people are lower than those seen in smaller countries with extremely high melanoma prevalence.

New Zealand and Australia Have the Highest Melanoma Rates

When measured on a per-capita basis, New Zealand and Australia had the highest melanoma rates in the world in 2023. New Zealand recorded a melanoma rate of more than 510 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Australia at roughly 429 per 100,000. Several Northern and Western European countries—including Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Slovenia—also ranked among the highest melanoma-rate countries globally.

Many of the countries with the highest melanoma rates have populations with lighter skin tones and strong outdoor lifestyles. Northern Europe, Oceania, and parts of Central Europe consistently appeared near the top of the rankings. By contrast, melanoma rates were generally much lower across much of Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. In several countries, melanoma rates were also higher among men than women, particularly in Australia, the United States, and much of Europe.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Is Far More Common

Non-melanoma skin cancer cases greatly exceed melanoma cases in many countries. The United States reported by far the largest total number of non-melanoma skin cancer cases in the dataset, with more than 2.2 million new cases. Australia and New Zealand also recorded exceptionally high non-melanoma skin cancer rates when adjusted for population size, with both countries exceeding 500 cases per 100,000 people.

Several European countries—including Canada, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—also reported elevated non-melanoma skin cancer rates. While melanoma often receives greater public attention because of its ability to spread aggressively, non-melanoma skin cancers are significantly more common overall. Countries with high ultraviolet exposure, aging populations, and strong cancer detection systems tend to report the highest diagnosis rates for both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Skin Cancer Death Rates Tell a Different Story

Countries with the highest melanoma rates do not always have the highest melanoma death rates. New Zealand recorded the highest melanoma death rate in the dataset in 2023, followed by Slovenia, Australia, Norway, and Sweden. Several European countries with high melanoma incidence—including Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—also ranked highly for melanoma-related deaths, though death rates remained far lower than overall diagnosis rates.

Non-melanoma skin cancer death rates showed somewhat different geographic patterns. Georgia recorded the highest non-melanoma skin cancer death rate in the dataset, followed by New Zealand, Cuba, Australia, and Serbia. In many countries, men experienced higher skin cancer death rates than women. Differences in healthcare access, early detection, public awareness, and treatment outcomes can all influence how frequently skin cancer leads to death rather than successful treatment.