Multiple sclerosis statistics 2025

In this article:

• What is multiple sclerosis?
• How common is multiple sclerosis?
• Multiple sclerosis and overall health
• The cost of multiple sclerosis
• Causes of multiple sclerosis
• Preventing multiple sclerosis
• Treating multiple sclerosis
• Multiple sclerosis questions and answers

In this article

• What is multiple sclerosis?
• How common is multiple sclerosis?
• Multiple sclerosis and overall health
• The cost of multiple sclerosis
• Causes of multiple sclerosis
• Preventing multiple sclerosis
• Treating multiple sclerosis
• Multiple sclerosis questions and answers

Nearly 1 million people in the United States are affected by MS. It’s estimated that more than 2.9 million people are living with MS worldwide, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). The majority of people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 years, but it can occur at any age. MS has a higher incidence rate in women than men.

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating condition that affects the central nervous system. It’s progressive, which means it gets worse over time. It’s usually recognized by its symptoms, which include extreme fatigue, loss of balance and coordination, visual problems, slurred speech, and tremors. It can also lead to numbness and tingling in the limbs as well as many other complications. Because symptoms affect the entire body, a diagnosis of MS may be difficult.

“When someone has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), their immune system attacks their brain and spinal cord,” says Jacob Hascalovici, MD, the chief medical officer of Clearing, a digital health platform for people with chronic pain. “During these attacks, nerve coatings get damaged, and the nerves cannot relay messages as well, so the body and brain have trouble communicating.”

There are several types of MS, including:

• Clinically isolated syndrome: The first episode of neurologic symptoms before a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
• Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): The most common form of the disease; symptoms are experienced in flare-ups (or relapses) with remission between attacks, where symptoms subside or go away
• Secondary progressive MS (SPMS): A later stage of the disease, where there is a steady worsening of symptoms between patches of good health
• Primary progressive MS (PPMS): Starts as a steady decline without remission or relapse
• Tumefactive MS: An atypical form of the disease that causes “tumor-like” lesions
• Pediatric MS: A rare form of the disease that affects children and adolescents

Diagnostic criteria for MS vary by provider. Presentation of symptoms, several lesions on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and evidence of damage to the central nervous system are all considered when making a diagnosis.

The disease progresses differently for each person. There is currently no cure for MS, but several therapies and medications can help manage symptoms and prevent impairment.

How common is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis statistics worldwide

• Worldwide, over 2.9 million people have multiple sclerosis. (Atlas of MS)
• Every day, about 300 people receive a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis worldwide. (Atlas of MS)
• Someone in the world is diagnosed with MS every five minutes. (Atlas of MS, 2020)
• Europe has the highest prevalence rate of MS of all World Health Organization (WHO) regions, with approximately 133 per 100,000 people affected. (Atlas of MS, 2021)
• Worldwide, the average age of MS diagnosis is 32. (Atlas of MS)

Multiple sclerosis statistics in the U.S.

• One million people in the United States are currently living with MS. (NMSS, 2019)
• More than 450 people are diagnosed with new cases of MS each week in the United States. (Atlas of MS, 2022)
• The number of people living with MS throughout the United States has quadrupled from 1994 to 2017. (NMSS, 2019)
• The average age of MS diagnosis in the United States is 36. (Atlas of MS)

Multiple sclerosis statistics by condition

• The most common form of multiple sclerosis, relapsing-remitting MS, affects about 85% of all people with MS, although they may eventually develop another form. (NMSS)
• Within 10 to 25 years, approximately 50%–90% of people with relapsing-remitting MS will develop secondary progressive MS if they don’t receive disease-modifying therapy. (NMSS)
• Primary progressive MS affects approximately 10%–15% of people living with multiple sclerosis. (NMSS)

Multiple sclerosis statistics by sex

• Females have a three times greater risk of developing MS than males. (JAMA Neurology, 2023)
• According to worldwide data, 69% of people with MS are female, and 31% of people living with MS are male. (Atlas of MS) 
• In the United States, 74% of people with MS are female and 26% are male. (Atlas of MS)

Multiple sclerosis statistics by race and ethnicity

• At the time of diagnosis, African Americans are more likely to have MS symptoms related to the optic nerves and spinal cord. (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, 2024)
• The prevalence of MS is highest among Black women. (Neurology, 2022)

Multiple sclerosis and overall health

“The severity of MS can vary from person to person,” Dr. Hascalovici says. “Some people are very deeply impacted by the trajectory of MS, while others are more mildly impacted. Often, the most difficult and trying aspects of MS can be its ‘invisible’ impacts, meaning fatigue and mood swings, among other symptoms.”

• People with MS are at an increased risk of developing mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. (Frontiers in Neurology, 2020)
• The most common reason for hospitalizations in adults with MS in a retrospective study was urinary tract infection, followed by neurological problems of unknown origin, relapse of their condition, and falls. (International Journal of MS Care, 2024)
• People with MS have an increased risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as lung disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, and anxiety. (NMSS, 2020)

The cost of multiple sclerosis

• The overall economic cost of MS in the U.S. in 2019 was estimated at $85.4 billion. (NMSS)
• Direct healthcare costs associated with MS accounted for approximately $63.3 billion of the total cost of MS. (NMSS)
• Fifty-four percent of direct healthcare costs are for retail prescription medications (Neurology, 2022)
• Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS cost about $57,202 to $92,719 per person annually. (NMSS) 

Causes of multiple sclerosis

Currently, there is no known cause of MS. However, evidence suggests that MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks and damages myelin tissue, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Researchers have developed several theories related to factors that may contribute to MS, including immune, environmental, genetic, and infection-related factors.

• Immune factors: Some immune system abnormalities have been found in people with MS. These immune system alterations appear to be responsible for the attack on myelin fibers.
• Environmental factors: Smoking, a lack of Vitamin D, obesity, and living in areas farther from the equator have been associated with a higher incidence of MS based on prevalence estimates.
• Genetic factors: Studies suggest that people who have a family history of MS are at a greater risk of developing the condition.
• Infection-related factors: Some researchers believe that some cases of MS may be triggered by a bacterium or virus, including Epstein-Barr, measles, and herpes simplex viruses. However, it’s important to note that MS is not an infectious disease and is not contagious.

Preventing multiple sclerosis

Unfortunately, there are no known ways to prevent multiple sclerosis at this time. Public health organizations, institutions, and governments are working to better understand the condition in order to determine whether it’s possible to prevent the onset of MS in people at high risk. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, there are several risk factors that may show an increased susceptibility of developing MS, including:

• Low vitamin D levels
• Tobacco use
• Obesity
• Being female
• Being between the ages of 20 and 50

Aside from the National MS Society, there are several other organizations devoted to continued research of MS. Organizations such as the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Myelin Repair Foundation, Accelerated Cure Project, and Multiple Sclerosis Association of America are all devoted to better understanding the condition and thus, developing better treatment options.

Treating multiple sclerosis

Treating MS involves comprehensive care by a team including healthcare providers such as a neurologist, primary care physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist, social worker, nurses, and pharmacists. Treatment options are available to help reduce the frequency of episodes or the severity of symptoms. This can allow individuals to continue living their lives while minimizing the impact of MS on their daily activities. Typically, people with MS are treated with a combination of medications and various other therapies.

Some of the most common medications for MS include:

• Oral medications: Aubagio (teriflunomide), Bafiertam (monomethyl fumarate), Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), Gilenya (fingolimod), Mavenclad (cladribine), Mayzent (siponimod), and Ponvory (ponesimod)
• Injections: Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), Kesimpta (ofatumumab), Plegridy, Rebif
• Infusions: Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), mitoxantrone, Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), Tysabri (natalizumab)

Multiple sclerosis questions and answers

What percentage of the world’s population has multiple sclerosis?

There are approximately 8.2 billion people in the world. Of those, around 2.9 million have been diagnosed with MS. Based on that data, about 0.04% of the population has MS.

Where is MS most common in the world?

MS is more common in northern Europe and North America, but it can appear in any geographic location, according to the Atlas of MS. Some evidence suggests that MS is more common in areas further away from the equator.

What percent of the U.S. population has multiple sclerosis?

Exact data related to the number of people in the U.S. with MS is difficult to obtain. It’s estimated that around 1 million of the 346.8 million people living in the U.S. have MS.

Which U.S. state has the highest rate of MS?

A 2019 study found that Montana, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Idaho, Ohio, and Utah have some of the highest rates of MS in the United States.

Is MS considered a rare disease?

MS is considered a rare disease in many geographic areas. However, some experts disagree on whether it should be considered a rare disease because of an unclear definition of rarity. Countries such as Europe and the United States have a much higher incidence of multiple sclerosis than some other countries, and in these areas, MS may not be considered rare.

How long can you live with MS?

Although MS is a chronic condition, most individuals lead active and productive lives with the right therapy and medications. According to a 2015 study, having MS can shorten one’s life expectancy by about 7.5 years, on average.

Is MS becoming more common?

Global data from 2013 to 2022 suggests the reported prevalence of multiple sclerosis has increased from approximately 2.3 million to 2.9 million, according to the Atlas of MS.