Epidemiological data for IBD in the Asia–Pacific region are lacking. The Asia–Pacific Crohn's and Colitis Epidemiology Study conducted a 1-year prospective, population-based study in eight countries from Asia and in Australia. A total of 419 new cases of IBD were identified (232 ulcerative colitis, 166 Crohn's disease and 21 undetermined). IBD incidence varied throughout Asia; China had the highest incidence. Of note, although IBD incidence is lower in Asia than in the West, severity of the disease was similar.