Atlas of MS FAQs

A few of the key findings from across the two reports from the 3rd Edition of the Atlas of MS are shown below – please see the full report for more detail:

• There are over 2.8 million people living with MS around the globe. This is the most accurate and up-to-date estimate of the number of people living with MS worldwide.
• The estimated number of people with MS globally has increased from 2.3 million people in 2013. Several factors are likely to have contributed to the increase, including: better counting methods nationally and globally as well as improved diagnosis, people with MS living longer and global population growth. However, from the data available we cannot rule out that there may also be some increase in the risk of developing MS.
• Every 5 minutes, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. (please note this is based on 81 reporting countries)
• The majority (83%) of countries worldwide have barriers that prevent early diagnosis of MS. Globally the most commonly reported barrier is a lack of awareness of MS symptoms amongst the public and healthcare professionals. An early diagnosis is vital to enable early treatment with disease modifying therapies that can minimise relapses and reduce future disability. Even if disease modifying therapies are not available, an early diagnosis is still crucial as it allows for lifestyle changes to help manage the disease and improve quality of life.
• 72% of countries cite barriers to accessing DMTs. Globally the most common barrier is the cost to the government, healthcare system or insurance provider, which is cited by experts in around half of all reporting countries.
• There is high unmet need for rehabilitation and symptom management, especially in lower middle and low income countries. Therapies for fatigue and cognitive impairment are not available in two-fifths of countries worldwide.

The estimate of over 2.8 million people with MS is higher than our estimate of 2.3 million people in 2013. Several factors are likely to contribute to the increase including better counting methods nationally and globally since then, as well as improved diagnosis, people with MS being diagnosed earlier and living longer, and population growth. However, from the data available we cannot rule out that there may also be some increase in the risk of developing MS.

Due to changes in our calculation method, we cannot directly compare the 2020–2022 figure to the global estimate from 2013. If we used the same methods, the global estimate would have increased by 30% in 7 years.

The Atlas combines information from published studies, registries, administrative data and expert contributors from countries around the world.

Data quality varies between countries. Some countries have comprehensive surveillance systems and registries, while others have limited published evidence.

To help address these gaps, the Atlas brings together available evidence and expert input to provide the most comprehensive global picture possible while remaining transparent about limitations and data gaps.

Although MS has been described and named as a neurological disease in adults for well over 100 years, it is only in the past few decades that it has been recognised that MS can occur in children too. More and more physicians consider this as a possible diagnosis when presented with symptoms consistent with central nervous system demyelination.

Knowledge about the incidence, diagnosis and clinical management of pediatric MS has expanded significantly in the past 10-15 years as research and dissemination of data has increased among the medical community. Around 30,000 children are reported to have MS from 55 countries.

In 2007, an International Pediatric MS Study Group was founded with the support of MSIF and several MS organisations. The group has published consensus statements about the diagnosis and clinical care of children with MS and the most promising avenues of future research. Research into possible genetic and environmental factors that may cause MS is an area of special interest in this field as it could yield valuable information about the development of MS in adults.

Most people with MS are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), where symptoms appear (relapse) over a short period of time, lasting between a few days and a few months. The symptoms then resolve (remission), sometimes for a long time. In progressive MS, there is a gradual accumulation of disability, with or without relapses.

A smaller percentage will develop progressive MS from the outset (primary progressive MS).

The reasons for the difference in risk between men and women are unknown but a variety of factors are likely to be influencing it such as hormonal and genetic differences, as well as differing social, lifestyle and environmental exposures between the sexes.

The availability of MS data varies considerably around the world.

Some countries have long-established registries, national databases or epidemiological studies, while others have limited infrastructure for surveillance and data collection.

The Atlas aims to encourage further investment in MS research, registries and surveillance systems to improve understanding of MS globally.

Atlas findings are used by MS organisations, researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, governments and healthcare planners around the world.

The data help to:

• Improve understanding of the burden of MS.
• Support healthcare planning and service development.
• Identify gaps in diagnosis, treatment and care.
• Strengthen evidence-based advocacy.
• Inform research and policy development

MSIF also uses Atlas findings to support global advocacy and awareness-raising activities. Atlas data have informed MSIF’s work to improve access to diagnosis, treatment and care, and have been used in engagement with international organisations and policymakers. For example, Atlas evidence has supported advocacy relating to access to disease modifying therapies (DMTs), neurological care and improved MS surveillance. Atlas findings have also contributed to MSIF’s work supporting applications to the World Health Organization (WHO) Essential Medicines List and broader efforts to improve access to MS diagnosis and treatments worldwide.

Atlas data are also used in peer-reviewed scientific publications. Publishing Atlas findings in academic journals helps ensure that the methods and results are independently scrutinised by experts, improves the visibility and credibility of the data, and enables researchers around the world to build on the evidence.

The information in the Atlas of MS can be a powerful advocacy tool, shining a spotlight on MS and raising awareness of the barriers to accessing diagnosis and care for people with MS worldwide.

One example is from MS Ireland, where Atlas data highlighting a shortage of neurologists compared with other European countries helped strengthen advocacy for increased investment in the neurological workforce.

Atlas findings have also helped shape MSIF’s global advocacy work, including efforts to improve access to diagnosis and treatment, strengthen MS surveillance, and support evidence submitted to international decision-makers such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

If you have an example of an improvement that the Atlas of MS has helped bring about, please email to let me know [email protected].

Atlas data can be used to:

• Compare your country with neighbouring countries or countries with similar resources.
• Identify gaps in diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation or healthcare resources.
• Support policy discussions with governments and healthcare providers.
• Strengthen funding applications and policy briefs.
• Raise awareness through presentations, media and social media activities.

Visit our Powerful Tool for Change page for advocacy examples, resources and guidance.

We are very interested in hearing other suggestions for how the Atlas data (or similar data you have collected in your country) could be used in advocacy work so if you have any other ideas of how the data can be used in this way, please email to let me know [email protected].

The Atlas data tool allows you to see how MS varies across the world on maps and charts. On the map view you can hoover your mouse over a country and a pop-up box will show the relevant data for that country. On the chart view, you can compare your country of interest vs the whole globe, and by the World Health Organization (WHO) regions and World Bank Income categories. Additionally you can download key statistics for a country of interest via the country factsheet, which is available in English Spanish or Arabic.

Some statistics are shown in all 3 formats (map, chart, factsheet), others are only shown in one. You can choose the format you wish to view by selecting one of the 3 types of views (as indicated in the visual above) and you can find this at the top of the screen above the analytical tool. You can scroll down below the map/chart and factsheet to download the full report and view other content.

To choose the statistic you are interested in please click on the statistics category (at the moment though there is only data for Epidemiology, and country classification – Clinical Management will be released early 2021) and then you can choose the statistic you are interested in from the drop-down menu at: Find statistics for

The maps show the data for all countries around the world and you can use the zoom +/- buttons at the bottom of the screen to magnify the map. If you are unsure of how to find a country you can also select this via the drop-down menu “Find a country” on the right hand side, below the blue band. Hoovering over a country will bring up a popup box which will show the relevant data.

You can download the map by pressing the download button.

On the chart view, you can change the country of interest by using the drop-down menu and it will show you all relevant countries

On the chart view you can see your country of interest, and compare this with the global total, the World Bank Income categories and the World Health Organization regions. The regions/categories that the country of interest falls into are shown in a darker orange (and with bolder text) so you can see if the country of interest is higher or lower compared to the average for the region/income category.

The chart can also be downloaded.

To compare multiple countries you can download multiple charts or factsheets or you have the option of downloading the full data set to conduct your own analysis.

Atlas data are open access and may be used freely with appropriate attribution.

Please use: Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), Atlas of MS, Third Edition (including the date the data were accessed).

Where appropriate, please also cite any associated scientific publications.

Our plan is to update the core Atlas epidemiology data on an annual basis to allow new countries to be included and exisiting country data to be updated using new evidence.

If your country is not included in the Atlas of MS, please get in touch by emailing me at [email protected] and we would be happy to include the data in our next update.

Please let us know if there has been a new epidemiology study in your country by emailing me at [email protected]. I will then get in touch to find out more about the study and the new data. We will need to verify and validate this data (which will include corresponding with the original country coordinator) prior to inputting it into our database.

Any new information you provide not only affects the data for your country, it also feeds into the global, regional and income aggregate totals that we report.

We have provided some social media tools in English, Arabic and Spanish for you to use in your own country. You are welcome to translate these into your own language but if you do please could you share these with us by emailing [email protected].

You can create your own key messages based on the information available in the Atlas. Consider the needs and experience of people affected by MS in your country, and tailor the messages to your advocacy priorities. To access the social media tools and other assets please  Click here.

You can find the key data from both the 2013 and 2008 Atlas in the full dataset. The 2013 report can be found here: http://www.msif.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Atlas-of-MS.pdf and the 2008 here: https://www.who.int/mental_health/neurology/Atlas_MS_WEB.pdf

Core data updates:

Since we published the 3rd edition data in 2020/2021 (part 1 Epidemiology and Part 2 Clinical Management) – we continue to update core data on epidemiology and DMT usage at regular intervals to ensure it remains current.

Topical surveys:

In addition to core data collection, the Atlas conducts topical surveys to explore specific issues affecting people with MS.

• Already published:
  • 2022 – Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) usage and Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) – data already available on the Atlas website. Click for survey questions.
  • MS diagnosis and diagnostic testing (2024) – examined the availability and use of diagnostic tests, barriers to diagnosis, diagnostic pathways and preparedness for changes to the MS diagnostic criteria. Key findings are available in our article Global gaps in MS diagnostic testing risk delaying diagnosis for many. Data collected in 2024. Click for survey questions and the results can be found here Global gaps in MS diagnostic testing risk delaying diagnosis for many – MS International Federation.
• Future Atlas updates and surveys will continue to strengthen understanding of MS epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and care