ObjectivesTo analyze the trend of incidence and mortality of bladder cancer from 1990 to 2017 and the effects of age, time period and birth cohort on bladder cancer incidence and mortality.MethodsData on age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) of bladder cancer from 1990 to 2017 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 (GBD 2017) database. Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the average annual percentage change of ASIR and ASDR of bladder cancer. The age-period-cohort model was established to analyze the age, period and birth cohort effects on ASIR and ASDR of bladder cancer.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2017, both ASIR and ASDR of bladder cancer decreased slightly. ASIR decreased from 6.42 per 100 000 in 1990 to 6.04 per 100 000 in 2017, with an average annual percentage change of −0.9% (−1.0% to −0.8%), and ASDR decreased from 3.15 per 100 000 in 1990 to 2017 2.57/100 000, with an average annual percentage change of −0.4% (−0.4% to −0.3%). The age-period-cohort model results showed that as age increased, the risk of bladder cancer incidence and mortality increased; as the birth cohort progressed, the risk of bladder cancer morbidity and mortality decreased. The time period had little effect on the incidence and mortality of bladder cancer.ConclusionsThe incidence and mortality of bladder cancer are declining globally. On the other hand, the increase of the aging global population could reverse the incidence and mortality trend, active measures should be taken to address the adverse effects of aging.