Ulcerative Colitis (UC): Epidemiology Report and Forecast to 2035

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the most common type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Worldwide, the highest number of incident and prevalent cases of UC are reported in Europe and North America (Heydari et al., 2025). UC presents as a chronic disease in which abnormal reactions of the immune system cause inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine, especially the colon and rectum, causing complete damage to the lining (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2020c). The disease can begin gradually and become worse over time; however, UC can also have an acute onset. Symptoms of UC range from mild to severe, and are similar to other types of IBD, such as Crohn's disease (CD) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). The major risk factors of the disease include genetic factors, immune system reactions, environmental factors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, low levels of antioxidants, diets high in processed food. (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2020c).

In the 7MM, the diagnosed incident cases of UC are expected to increase from 190,044 cases in 2025 to 194,968 cases in 2035, at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 0.26%. In 2035, the US will have the highest number of diagnosed incident cases of UC in the 7MM, with 112,123 diagnosed incident cases, whereas France will have the fewest diagnosed incident cases with 4,023 cases. In the 7MM, the diagnosed prevalent cases of UC are expected to increase from 2,242,398 cases in 2025 to 2,360,748 cases in 2035, at an AGR of 0.53%. In 2035, the US will have the highest number of diagnosed prevalent cases of UC in the 7MM with 1,032,612 diagnosed prevalent cases, whereas Italy will have the fewest diagnosed prevalent cases with 123,789 cases. GlobalData epidemiologists attribute the changes in the diagnosed incident cases and diagnosed prevalent cases of UC to changing incidence and prevalence rates and population dynamics in each market.

Scope

• This report provides an overview of the risk factors, comorbidities, and the global and historical epidemiological trends for UC in the seven major markets (7MM: the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Japan).
• The report includes a 10-year epidemiology forecast for the diagnosed incident cases and diagnosed prevalent cases of UC. The diagnosed incident cases of UC are segmented by age (0-14 years, 15-17 years, and 18 years or older in five-year age groups) and sex.
• The diagnosed prevalent cases of UC are segmented by age (0-14 years, 15-17 years, and 18 years or older in five-year age groups) and sex. The diagnosed prevalent cases of UC in ages 18 years or older are also segmented based on severity in adults.
• The diagnosed prevalent cases of UC in all ages are segmented based on anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy responsiveness (TNF-responding and TNF-non-responding). This epidemiology forecast for UC is supported by data obtained from peer-reviewed articles and population-based studies.
• The forecast methodology was kept consistent across the 7MM to allow for a meaningful comparison of the forecast diagnosed incident cases and diagnosed prevalent cases of UC across markets.