Cancer was the second leading cause of death in OECD countries after circulatory diseases, accounting for 21% of all deaths in 2023, although in ten OECD countries – including Japan and Spain – neoplasms (mainly cancer) have become the leading cause of death (see section on “Main causes of mortality”). The main causes of cancer-related mortality include lung (20%), colorectal (11%), pancreatic (8%), breast (7%) and prostate (6%) cancers. These five cancers represent more than 50% of all cancer deaths in OECD countries. On average age‑standardised mortality rates from cancer have fallen over time in OECD countries – from 204 deaths per 100 000 population in 2019 to 191 deaths per 100 000 in 2023.
Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer mortality for both men and women, accounting for 22% of cancer deaths among men and 17% among women (Figure 3.8). Smoking represents the main risk factor for lung cancer. Colorectal cancer is also a major cause of death for both men and women, representing 11% of cancer-related deaths for both sexes. Widespread colorectal cancer screening programmes for adult populations – starting at around 50 years of age – have led to an initial increase of new cases followed by a decline in incidence rate among older adults. In recent years, however, many OECD countries have observed a rising incidence of colorectal cancer among younger patients. Apart from age and genetic factors, a diet high in fat and low in fibre, lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption all increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer mortality in women (15% of deaths). Although breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer incidence among women (28%), mortality rates have declined or stabilised – indicative of earlier diagnosis and treatment – and consequently survival rates are higher (see section on “Cancer screening” in Chapter 6). Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of cancer mortality among men, accounting for 10% of all cancer-related deaths and 22% of cancer incidence, among men (Figure 3.8).
The overall cancer incidence rate was 291 deaths per 100 000 population on average across OECD countries in 2022, and was higher for men than women in most OECD countries. Incidence rates range from less than 200 deaths per 100 000 in Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico – including accession/partner countries Peru, Thailand, Indonesia and India – to over 350 deaths per 100 000 in Norway, the United States, Denmark, New Zealand and Australia (Figure 3.9). Low incidence rates can be due to limited registry coverage, limited access to screening programmes, younger population structures, and differences in risk factor exposure.
The mortality rates from cancer averaged 191 deaths per 100 000 population across OECD countries in 2023, with consistently higher rates for men compared to women (Figure 3.10). Among OECD countries, mortality rates were highest in Hungary, Slovenia, Latvia and the Slovak Republic (230 or above per 100 000) and lowest in Mexico, Türkiye and Costa Rica (fewer than 150 per 100 000). Greater prevalence of risk factors among men – notably smoking and alcohol consumption – drive much of the differences in cancer incidence and mortality between men and women. Additionally, interventions to reduce socio‑economic inequalities in cancer mortality should focus on people with lower levels of education, as this population group has higher cancer mortality rates across most OECD countries. Differences in treatment quality, access to innovative therapies, and equity of participation in screening programmes also play a critical role in explaining cancer survival gaps across countries.
Earlier diagnosis and treatment significantly increase cancer survival rates. This partly explains why, for example, countries including Norway, Australia and Belgium have below-average mortality rates despite having relatively high rates of cancer incidence. Norway has high participation (around 70%) in cancer screening programmes for breast and cervical cancer, and a higher number of healthcare professionals per cancer case than most OECD countries (OECD/European Commission, 2025[1]).
