Abstract
The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased annually in newly industrialized countries. In mainland China, there is also a trend of increasing incidence and prevalence of IBD. Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of IBD in mainland China is higher in the south and lower in the north. However, the existing research results are affected by the factor of floating population. Some socioeconomic factors also seem to play a role in the rising trend of IBD incidence and prevalence. These underlying factors provide opportunities and challenges for our IBD epidemiological studies over the next decade.