Hernias remain one of the most frequently encountered surgical conditions worldwide, with more than 20 million hernia repairs performed annually. Inguinal hernias constitute nearly 75% of all abdominal wall hernias, with a significantly higher lifetime risk in men (27%) than in women (3%). Innovations in mesh technology, minimally invasive techniques, and enhanced recovery pathways have transformed outcomes, reducing recurrence rates from 20–30% in the pre-mesh era to approximately 1–5% with contemporary mesh-based repairs. Despite these advances, complications such as chronic postoperative pain still affect 10–12% of patients. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnostic strategies, and evolving surgical approaches in hernia management, highlighting global trends and future directions.