Objective To analyze the incidence trend of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Inner Mongolia autonomous region and provide evidence for the development of TB prevention and control measures.

Methods The incidence data of pulmonary TB in Inner Mongolia from 2011 to 2022 were collected from Infectious Disease Report Information Management System, a subsystem of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the population data in Inner Mongolia during this period were collected from Statistical Yearbook of Inner Mongolia for an incidence trend analysis by using Joinpoint regression model.

Results A total of 148 600 cases of pulmonary TB were reported in Inner Mongolia from 2011 to 2022, with an average reported incidence rate of 49.74/100 000. The incidence rate decreased from 66.55/100 000 in 2011 to 28.56/100 000 in 2022, with an average annual change percentage (AAPC) of −7.32 %(Z=−2.405, P=0.016) and an annual decline rate of 7.40%. The incidence rates in men (85.66/100 000 in 2011, 36.92/100 000 in 2022) were higher than those in women (45.90/100 000 in 2011, 19.83/100 000 in 2022), and the AAPC was −7.21% in men and −7.36% in women. The average incidence rate in the elderly aged ≥65 years was highest (139.35/100 000), the with the AAPC of −8.64%, and declineed rapidly after 2019; The incidence rate in people aged 45–54 years was stable from 2011 to 2018, but declined after 2018, with an AAPC of −16.56%(t=−4.314, P=0.013). The incidence rate in children aged 0−14 years was lowest (2.15/100 000), with an AAPC of −6.90%. The average incidence rate reported in children and women (2.37/100 000) was higher than that reported in men (1.94/100 000).

Conclusion From 2011 to 2022, the reported incidence rate of pulmonary TB in Inner Mongolia showed a decline by 57.09%. It is necessary to strengthen active TB screening, prevention and control in key populations, such as men, the elderly and children,