Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare globally but common in China and exhibits a distinct ethnic and geographic distribution. In 2009, the National Central Cancer Registry in China provided real-time surveillance information on NPC. Individual NPC cases were retrieved from the national database based on the ICD-10 topography code C11. The crude incidence and mortality of NPC were calculated by sex and location (urban/rural). China’s population in 1982 and Segi’s world population structures were used to determine age-standardized rates. In regions covered by the cancer registries in 2009, the crude incidence of NPC was 3.61/100,000 (5.08/100,000 in males and 2.10/100,000 in females; 4.19/100,000 in urban areas and 2.42/100,000 in rural areas). Age-standardized incidences by Chinese population (ASIC) and Segi’s world population (ASIW) were 2.05/100,000 and 2.54/100,000, respectively. The crude mortality of NPC was 1.99/100,000 (2.82/100,000 in males and 1.14/100,000 in females; 2.30/100,000 in urban areas and 1.37/100,000 in rural areas). The age-standardized mortalities by Chinese population (ASMC) and world population (ASMW) were 1.04/100,000 and 1.35/100,000, respectively. The incidence and mortality of NPC were higher in males than in females and higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Both agespecific incidence and mortality were relatively low in persons younger than 30 years old, but these rates dramatically increased. Incidence peaked in the 60-64 age group and mortality peaked in the over 85 age group. Primary and secondary prevention, such as lifestyle changes and early detection, should be carried out in males and females older than 30 years of age. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare globally but common in China and exhibits a distinct ethnic and geographic distribution. In 2009, the National Central Cancer Registry in China provided real-time surveillance information on NPC. Individual NPC cases were retrieved from the national database based on the ICD-10 topography code C11. The crude incidence and mortality of NPC were calculated by sex and location (urban / rural). China’s population in 1982 and Segi’s world population structures were used to determine age-standardized rates. the cancer registries in 2009, the crude incidence of NPC was 3.61 / 100,000 (5.08 / 100,000 in males and 2.10 / 100,000 in females; 4.19 / 100,000 in urban areas and 2.42 / 100,000 in rural areas). Age-normal incidences by Chinese population (ASIC) and Segi’s world population (ASIW) were 2.05 / 100,000 and 2.54 / 100,000, respectively. The crude mortality of NPC was 1.99 / 100,000 (2.82 / 100,000 in males and 1.14 / 100,000 in females; 2.30 / 10 The age-standardized mortalities by Chinese population (ASMC) and world population (ASMW) were 1.04 / 100,000 and 1.35 / 100,000, respectively. The incidence and mortality of NPC were higher in Both agespecific incidence and mortality were relatively low in adults younger than 30 years old, but these rates dramatically increased. Incidence peaked in the 60-64 age group and mortality peaked in the over 85 age group. Primary and secondary prevention, such as lifestyle changes and early detection, should be carried out in males and females older than 30 years of age.