The incidence and prevalence of cystic echinococcosis have fallen dramatically over the past several decades. Nonetheless, cystic echinococcosis remains a major public health issue in several countries and regions as a result of a reduction of control programmes due to economic problems. Geographic distribution differs by country and region depending on the presence of large numbers of nomadic or semi-nomadic sheep and goat flocks that represent the intermediate host of the parasite, and their close contact with the final host, the dog, which mostly provides the transmission of infection to humans. The greatest prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in human and animal hosts is found in countries of the temperate zones, including Mediterranean regions, southern and central parts of Russia, central Asia, China, Australia, South America and north and east Africa. In this article, the geographic distribution and epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis worldwide are reviewed.