New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal significant progress in the global fight against malaria, with an estimated 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths averted since 2000. However, the disease continues to pose a serious global health threat, especially in the WHO African Region. According to WHO’s latest World Malaria Report, there were an estimated 263 million cases and 597,000 malaria-related deaths worldwide in 2023. This marks an increase of approximately 11 million cases compared to 2022, while the number of deaths remains nearly unchanged. Alarmingly, about 95% of these deaths occurred in the WHO African Region, highlighting a serious gap in access to necessary services to prevent, detect, and treat malaria.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “No one should die of malaria; yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people living in the African region, especially young children and pregnant women.” He acknowledged the availability of an expanded range of lifesaving tools offering better protection against malaria but stressed the need for increased investments and action in high-burden African countries.
Globally, progress is evident. As of November 2024, 44 countries and 1 territory have been certified malaria-free by WHO, with many others making steady advancements toward this goal. Among the 83 malaria-endemic countries, 25 now report fewer than 10 cases a year, a significant improvement from only 4 countries in 2000. The WHO African Region has achieved a 16% reduction in its malaria mortality rate since 2015. Yet, the estimated mortality rate in 2023 stood at 52.4 deaths per 100,000 population at risk, more than double the target of 23 deaths per 100,000 set by the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030.
Earlier this year, Health Ministers from 11 African countries, which collectively account for two-thirds of the global malaria burden, signed a declaration to sustainably reduce the disease's impact by strengthening national health systems and enhancing strategic coordination. These countries include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda.
The deployment of WHO-recommended tools is key to combating malaria. By the end of 2024, 17 countries had introduced malaria vaccines through routine childhood immunization programs, promising to save tens of thousands of young lives annually. The availability of new-generation nets, which offer improved protection against mosquito resistance compared to pyrethroid-only nets, has expanded. In 2023, these new nets accounted for 78% of the 195 million distributed to sub-Saharan Africa, up from 59% in 2022.
Despite these advancements, inadequate funding remains a significant barrier. In 2023, global funding for malaria control was estimated at US$ 4 billion, falling short of the US$ 8.3 billion target set for that year. This shortfall has led to significant gaps in insecticide-treated net coverage, medicine availability, and other life-saving tools, particularly affecting the most vulnerable populations.
Malaria-endemic countries still confront challenges including fragile health systems, weak surveillance, and rising biological threats like drug and insecticide resistance. Further complicating the scenario are conflict, violence, natural disasters, climate change, and population displacement, which exacerbate health inequities faced by high-risk groups such as pregnant women and children under five.
The WHO highlights the need for a more inclusive response to reach those most vulnerable. A focus on primary health care is urged as the foundation of equitable health systems, alongside strategies to tackle root causes like gender inequities and social determinants. Investments in robust data systems for monitoring health inequalities are encouraged, emphasizing equity, gender equality, and human rights as central to antimalarial innovation, engaging those most affected in the design and assessment of new approaches and tools.
