Average annual cerebrovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates (age-adjusted to the 1950 US population) were calculated using data from 1967 through 1973 for 33 countries. Rates range from 35.8/100, 000/year (Philippines) to 196.7/100, 000/year (Japan). There is also considerable variation among the nations of Europe and North America. Comparing these results with similar information for the 1950s shows a marked decrease for CVD mortality in approximately two-thirds of the countries for which data are available. Nations with low rates in the 1950s generally show an increase in CVD mortality rates. This most probably represents improvements in case ascertainment and diagnosis. Despite the problems inherent in mortality tabulations for neurologic diseases, the data reveal interesting patterns. © 1983 S. Karger AG, Basel.