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Skin cancer in Europe - statistics and facts

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and in Europe. Skin tumors can be either melanoma or non-melanoma. Non-melanoma cancers can then be further split into basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. While non-melanoma skin cancers are more common, melanomas are more deadly. Over 100 thousand cases of melanoma skin cancer were registered in the European Union in 2020, while over 16 thousand deaths were recorded across the continent that same year. Northern European countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway are among the countries with the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Although skin cancer can occur in people of all skin types, those with lighter skin color are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Other factors that can increase probability include long-term exposure to UV rays, history of sunburns, age, and genetics.

Current state in Europe

The incidence across the whole EU in 2020 was around 26 and 20 per 100,000 for men and women, respectively. Among men, the Netherlands had the highest incidence in the EU of melanoma skin cancer diagnosed that year, at over 54.2 per 100,000 population. Denmark had the highest rate for women at approximately 51 per 100,000. Therefore, these two countries had diagnosis rates over 110 percent higher than the EU’s average. Sweden and Finland both also had very high rates compared to the EU as a whole. In Denmark, over five thousand euros per capita are spent annually directly on melanoma healthcare. Other European countries that have high per capita expenditures include Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. In the Summer of 2023, it was announced that the Netherlands was going to provide free sunscreen to its population in public places in an effort to halt rising cases of skin cancer.

Mortality and survival

The highest mortality rates among EU countries, compared to the overall average, in 2020 were registered in Slovakia, Denmark, and Slovenia. Despite the high prevalence of skin cancer in Europe, survival rates can be good, especially if the cancer is caught at an early stage. For example, in England, over 95 percent of people diagnosed with stage one melanoma would live for at least five years post-diagnosis as of 2020. In contrast, only around 40 percent survived for five years after a stage four diagnosis. Similarly, high five-year survival rates existed in Sweden and Norway. The survival prospects after being diagnosed with melanoma in Europe have significantly increased compared to just a few decades ago.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

EU country with the highest rate of melanomas: Denmark

Incidence of melanoma skin cancer among men over 75 years of age in the EU (per 100,000): 86.2

Estimated number of melanoma cancer cases in the EU: 106.3k

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Diseases

Countries with the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide in 2020

Incidence of melanoma skin cancer in European Union countries compared to the EU-27 overall average in 2022

Diseases

Incidence of skin cancer in EU countries compared to whole EU 2022

Annual healthcare expenditure on melanoma in European countries as of 2019 (in thousand euros)

Health System

Direct healthcare spending on melanoma in Europe 2019, by country

Recommended statistics

Overview

Basic Statistic Countries with the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide in 2020
Countries with the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide in 2020
Rates of skin cancer in the countries with the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide in 2020 (per 100,000 population)
Premium Statistic Countries with the highest rates of skin cancer in men worldwide in 2020
Countries with the highest rates of skin cancer in men worldwide in 2020
Rates of skin cancer among men in the countries with the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide in 2020 (per 100,000 population)
Basic Statistic Countries with the highest rates of skin cancer in women worldwide in 2020
Countries with the highest rates of skin cancer in women worldwide in 2020
Rates of skin cancer among women in the countries with the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide in 2020 (per 100,000 population)
Premium Statistic Attitudes towards the cancer risk of UV rays in Europe in 2019
Attitudes towards the cancer risk of UV rays in Europe in 2019
Share of individuals who think exposing the skin to harmful UV rays* increases a person's risk of developing cancer in Europe 2019, by selected countries
Premium Statistic Individuals reducing UV ray exposure for cancer reasons Europe 2019, by country
Individuals reducing UV ray exposure for cancer reasons Europe 2019, by country
Share of individuals who have reduced exposure to harmful UV rays* to reduce their risk of developing cancer in selected European countries in 2019

Incidence in Europe

Premium Statistic Number of melanoma skin cancer cases EU 2022, by country
Number of melanoma skin cancer cases EU 2022, by country
Estimated number of melanoma skin cancer cases in European Union countries in 2022
Premium Statistic Incidence of skin cancer in the European Union 2022, by age and gender
Incidence of skin cancer in the European Union 2022, by age and gender
Incidence of melanoma skin cancer in the European Union in 2022, by age and gender (per 100,000 population)
Premium Statistic Incidence of skin cancer in EU countries 2022, by gender
Incidence of skin cancer in EU countries 2022, by gender
Incidence of melanoma skin cancer in European Union countries in 2022, by gender (per 100,000 population)
Premium Statistic Incidence of skin cancer in EU countries compared to whole EU 2022
Incidence of skin cancer in EU countries compared to whole EU 2022
Incidence of melanoma skin cancer in European Union countries compared to the EU-27 overall average in 2022
Basic Statistic Change of incidence of skin cancer forecast in the EU 2020-2040
Change of incidence of skin cancer forecast in the EU 2020-2040
Estimated relative change of the incidence of melanoma skin cancer in the European Union between 2020 and 2040, by country

Survival in selected countries

Premium Statistic Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in England 2016-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in England 2016-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in the five years after diagnosis in England between 2016 and 2020, by gender
Premium Statistic Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in England 2016-2020, by diagnosis stage
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in England 2016-2020, by diagnosis stage
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in the five years after diagnosis in England between 2016 and 2020, by stage at diagnosis
Premium Statistic Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Denmark 1971-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Denmark 1971-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates after 1 and 5 years in Denmark between 1971 and 2020, by gender
Premium Statistic Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Finland 1971-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Finland 1971-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates after 1 and 5 years in Finland between 1971 and 2020, by gender
Premium Statistic Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Norway 1971-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Norway 1971-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates after 1 and 5 years in Norway between 1971 and 2020, by gender
Premium Statistic Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Sweden 1971-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Sweden 1971-2020, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates after 1 and 5 years in Sweden between 1971 and 2020, by gender
Premium Statistic Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Germany 2018, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates in Germany 2018, by gender
Melanoma skin cancer survival rates 5 and 10 years after diagnosis in Germany as of 2018, by gender

Mortality

Premium Statistic Change in mortality of skin cancer forecast in the EU 2020-2040
Change in mortality of skin cancer forecast in the EU 2020-2040
Estimated relative change of the mortality of melanoma skin cancer in the European Union between 2020 and 2040, by country
Premium Statistic Skin cancer mortality rate in Europe in 2018, by country
Skin cancer mortality rate in Europe in 2018, by country
Mortality rate of skin cancer in Europe in 2018, by country (per 100,000 population)
Basic Statistic Mortality rate of skin cancer in EU countries compared to whole EU 2022
Mortality rate of skin cancer in EU countries compared to whole EU 2022
Mortality rate of melanoma skin cancer in European Union countries compared to the EU-27 overall average in 2022
Premium Statistic Number of melanoma skin cancer deaths EU 2022, by country
Number of melanoma skin cancer deaths EU 2022, by country
Estimated number of melanoma skin cancer deaths in European Union countries in 2022

Costs

Premium Statistic Direct healthcare spending on melanoma in Europe 2019, by country
Direct healthcare spending on melanoma in Europe 2019, by country
Annual healthcare expenditure on melanoma in European countries as of 2019 (in thousand euros)
Premium Statistic Direct per capita healthcare spending on melanoma in Europe 2019, by country
Direct per capita healthcare spending on melanoma in Europe 2019, by country
Annual per capita healthcare expenditure on melanoma in European countries as of 2019 (in euros)
Premium Statistic Years of lost productivity due to melanoma in Europe 2019, by country
Years of lost productivity due to melanoma in Europe 2019, by country
Number of years of lost productivity as a result melanoma in European countries as of 2019

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Key figures

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