- An estimated 3.1 million people worldwide are now living with MS according to the latest Atlas of MS update, up from 2.8 million reported in 2020.
- Global MS prevalence has increased by 54% since 2013, rising from 24.8 to 38.1 cases per 100,000 people.
- More than 40,000 children and adolescents are estimated to be living with paediatric MS, compared with around 7,000 reported in 2013.
A growing global trend mirrored in Australia
A new analysis from the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation’s (MSIF) Atlas of MS estimates that 3.1 million people are now living with MS worldwide. Experts from 133 countries, including Australia, and collectively representing 93% of the world’s population, contributed to the Atlas update.
For Australians, increased prevalence of MS may sound familiar. Late last year, MS Australia’s MS Prevalence and Economic Impact in Australia 2025 report highlighted that more Australians are living with MS than ever before and that the disease has a substantial impact on individuals, families, the healthcare system and the broader economy.
Together, the Australian and global findings paint a consistent picture: more people than ever are living with an MS diagnosis, increasing demand for healthcare and support services and reinforcing the need to address the growing health, social and economic impacts of the disease.
What was the study about?
The Atlas of MS is a global initiative that brings together information from countries around the world to better understand the impact of MS. It tracks how many people are living with MS, how many people are newly diagnosed each year, and how these numbers are changing over time.
Drawing on contributions from experts in 133 countries, the researchers aimed to understand:
- How many people are living with MS worldwide (prevalence)
- How many new MS diagnoses occur each year (incidence)
- How prevalence has changed over time
- How many children and young people are living with MS globally
By bringing together data from diverse sources, including national registries, health records and epidemiological studies, the Atlas provides a detailed snapshot of the global impact of MS.
More people than ever are living with MS
Published in Multiple Sclerosis Journal, the researchers estimated that approximately 3.1 million people worldwide are living with MS, up from 2.8 million in 2020. Global prevalence increased by 54% between 2013 and 2024.
The study also estimated that around 120,000 people are newly diagnosed with MS each year worldwide.
MS prevalence varied considerably between regions, with the highest rates reported in Europe and the Americas and lower rates in Africa, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific.
Another important finding was that MS continues to affect women disproportionately. Data from 113 countries showed that women account for about 70% of people living with MS globally.
The study identified more than 40,000 children and adolescents living with MS, compared with around 7,000 reported in 2013. The increase likely reflects greater awareness of paediatric MS, earlier diagnosis, improved surveillance and a growing number of studies in this population. However, changes in the underlying risk of developing paediatric MS cannot be ruled out.
What is driving the increase?
The researchers suggest several factors may be contributing to the rising prevalence of MS worldwide, including:
- Earlier diagnosis of MS
- More people with MS being identified and counted
- Improvements in treatment and care, meaning people are living longer with MS
- Population growth
- Improved collection and reporting of MS data
Together, these factors may help explain the rise in reported MS prevalence. However, the available data cannot determine whether the underlying risk of developing MS is increasing.
These findings are also consistent with MS Australia’s MS Prevalence and Economic Impact in Australia 2025 report, which noted that rising prevalence is likely driven by a combination of factors, including earlier diagnosis, improved survival and longer life expectancy, as well as changes in exposure to environmental and lifestyle risk factors.
Why does this matter?
The findings reinforce a key message from MS Australia’s MS Prevalence and Economic Impact in Australia 2025 report: as more people live with an MS diagnosis, the health, social and economic impacts of the disease become increasingly important for governments, healthcare systems and communities to address.
As prevalence increases, so too does the need to ensure people can access timely diagnosis, specialist care, disease-modifying therapies, symptom management and community support.
The Atlas authors also highlight persistent inequalities in MS diagnosis around the world. Many countries continue to face barriers such as limited access to neurologists, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and diagnostic services, meaning some people may remain undiagnosed or experience significant delays in receiving care.
Accurate prevalence data are critical for governments, healthcare providers and advocacy organisations. Without reliable data, it is difficult to plan services, allocate resources and understand the true impact of MS on individuals and society.
Looking ahead
The Atlas of MS update provides an important benchmark before the widespread adoption of the revised 2024 McDonald diagnostic criteria for MS. Researchers expect the updated criteria to enable earlier diagnosis for some people, which may influence future prevalence estimates.
There is also hope that the inclusion of three MS medicines – cladribine, glatiramer acetate and rituximab – on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List will improve access to effective and affordable treatment globally, particularly in countries with limited resources. Over time, broader access to treatment could improve MS management and outcomes worldwide, helping more people receive the care they need.
The authors conclude that continued improvements in data collection, diagnosis and surveillance will be essential to understanding the future impact of MS around the world. In Australia, these global findings reinforce the importance of tracking how and why prevalence is changing. This evidence will be critical for planning future research, healthcare services and support for people affected by MS.
