How many people in the world have a stoma? How many people have a stoma in your country? What are the most common stoma problems? In this blog, we have done the research for you and collated all the most interesting stoma statistics in one place, so you don’t have to. Continue reading to find out some fascinating stoma facts.
How many people have a stoma? [2025]
- Approximately 205,000 people in the UK have a stoma, or one in every 340 people (source)
- Approximately 1 million people in the US have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 70,000 people in Canada have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 400,000 people in Brazil have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 700,000 people in Europe have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 40,000 people in Ireland have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 80,000 people in France have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 70,000 people in Italy have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 70,000 people in Spain have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 40,000 people in the Netherlands have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 100,000 people in Germany have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 12,000 people in Denmark have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 23,000 people in Norway have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 41,000 people in Sweden have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 60,000 people in South Africa have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 50,000 people in Australia have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 8,000 people in New Zealand have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 30,000 people in Iran have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 300,000 people in India have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 1 million people in China have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 210,000 people in Japan have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 150,000 people in Thailand have a stoma (source)
- Approximately 15,000 people in South Korea have a stoma (source)
These stoma statistics are based on current estimates. In some countries, stoma surgery may be unreported and therefore underestimated. Indeed, in some countries, there is no stoma data available at all. For this reason, it’s impossible to estimate how many people in the world have ostomies.
What percentage of people need stoma surgery?
- According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, less than 10% of colorectal cancer patients require a permanent stoma. (source)
- In the US, an estimated 18-35% of colorectal cancer survivors have had stoma surgery. (source)
- In Western countries, surgery is required for as many as 80% of people with Crohn’s disease, with 10% requiring a permanent stoma. On the other hand, just 10-30% of people with ulcerative colitis require colectomy surgery. (source)
- According to Crohn’s and Colitis UK, around 2000 people in the UK with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) undergo surgery each year, resulting in either temporary or permanent stomas. (source)
- According to one study, 16.6% of patients with stomas to treat Crohn’s disease have their stomas reversed while the remaining keep theirs permanently. (source)
- In a 16-year study of 18,815 Crohn’s disease patients in Sweden, 3.5% had stoma surgery. 44% had their stoma reversed. Stomas were more common in elderly patients than young patients. Ileostomies were most common (64%). Within 5 years of diagnosis, 0.8% had a permanent stoma and 0.05% had a proctectomy. (source)
How many people know about stomas?
Bowel and Bladder UK researched awareness around stomas in 2022. According to this UK study, 65% of people know what a stoma is. 68% were confident they could indicate why someone might need a stoma, but only 28% knew someone with a stoma. 73% of people understood that bowel cancer might lead to someone needing stoma surgery and 62% knew that Crohn’s disease could.
Life with a stoma statistics
Let’s explore the results of some stoma studies and what they can tell us about life with a stoma, including our input on the stats.
Stoma output statistics
- The output volume of a colostomy is about 150-220g daily.
- The output volume of an ileostomy is about 500-800ml daily.
- The output volume of a urostomy is about 1200ml daily. (source)
Our thoughts: Stoma output will vary from person to person, depending on many factors, including your diet. Find out more: Foods to eat with a stoma
Stoma support statistics
- One study found that 83% of ostomates felt comfortable with the day-to-day management of their ostomy.
- 86% felt fully supported by their stoma care nurse.
- 43% were still using the product that they were using on discharge from the hospital.
- Women were more likely to change their product brand.
- However, it also found that 30% of ostomates experienced leakage problems. (source)
Our thoughts: Don’t be afraid to try samples of different manufacturers’ products until you find the combination that works best for you, especially if you are experiencing problems. You don’t have to put up with frequent leakage. Find out more: Stoma leakage
- Similarly, another study found that 84% of ostomates had positive experiences of the support provided by their stoma care nurse whilst in hospital.
- Three-quarters of patients felt that they were supported well when they were home.
- More than half said they only saw their stoma nurse when they had a problem.
- 1 in 3 said they had an annual review.
- Only 21% of respondents said they attend a support group.
- 14% were unaware of any support groups. (source)
Our thoughts: Your stoma nurse should be your first port of call for any stoma issues you may be facing. However, support groups can also provide an invaluable source of community and help you to feel that you are not alone. Discover a support group near you here.
Stoma problems statistics
- In one study, over a third of ostomates developed long-term stoma complications.
- 16% had a prolapse, 15% had skin problems and 10% had a hernia.
- Skin problems were more common in males and for people who had ileostomies.
- Parastomal hernias were more common in end stomas. (source)
- After using the Ostoform FLOWASSIST seal, 35% of ostomates experienced an improvement in skin condition and 71% said the Ostoform Seal lasted longer than their current stoma seal. (source)
Our thoughts: You don’t have to live with frequent skin problems because of your stoma. The Ostoform FLOWASSIST seal or two-piece system could be the answer you are looking for. Find out more: Peristomal skin care
- According to Colostomy UK, 50-70% of ostomates will develop a parastomal hernia. (source)
You can read more about how to prevent parastomal hernias and how to treat one in our hernia blog.
Stoma quality of life statistics
- One study found that 70% of stoma patients changed their diet due to stoma surgery. More than half reported feelings of depression. (source)
- One study found that 16%-26% of stoma patients will experience negative psychological symptoms post-surgery. (source)
- In a StoCare survey, we asked ostomates: ‘Does your stoma make you happy?’. 64% said it depends, 32% said yes, 4% said no.
- We also asked if their stoma makes them stressed – 15% said ‘never’, 9% said ‘rarely’, 64% said ‘sometimes’, 12% said ‘often’.
Our thoughts: It’s completely normal to feel down or overwhelmed after stoma surgery; it is a life-changing surgery and you will need time to adjust. However, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Your stoma should enhance your quality of life, not hinder it. Read our advice in this article: Quality of life in stoma patients
Conclusion
There are many clinical studies that present interesting stoma statistics, but these results are limited to their sample and should not be taken as the experience of every ostomate. Everyone’s stoma story is unique. If you are experiencing any stoma problems, there are many resources out there to help.
Further reading
Why would you need a stoma bag?
