Worldwide, osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of musculoskeletal disease and the second cause of work-related disability among adult men. There are few Brazilian population-based studies on OA, none investigating the national burden. Objective: To investigate the burden of OA among Brazilian people (50+ years old), from 2000 to 2017. Method: Descriptive study on the estimates of OA obtained in collaboration with the study Global Burden of Disease 2017. Since OA is not a cause of death, we described the prevalence and the years lived with disability (YLDs), representing the burden of disease (DALYs). We compare the metrics for Brazil with a developing country in Latin America (Chile) and two developed countries, with or without public health system (England and United States). Results: The number of cases in Brazil almost doubled from 2000 to 2017. All countries showed increasing age-standardized prevalence. Brazil presented the smallest rates and increase (9%) in the period. OA raised from 14th to the 12th cause of disability from 2000 to 2017 in those aged 50 to 69 and in 2017. The YLD rates of 100,000 inhabitants increased more than three times, in men and women, among those aged 50 to 54 years and in individuals over 80 years old. Aging was associated with a clear gradient increase in disability for both sexes and years analyzed. Conclusion: Estimate of the burden of OA in Brazil highlight the importance of this cause of disability to health policymakers and call attention to the need for more research investments.