282 Million Malaria Cases Worldwide | WHO World Malaria Report 2025
On December 4, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its World malaria report 2025. The estimated number of malaria cases worldwide in 2024 was 282 million, and the number of deaths was 610,000. Cases increased by approximately 9 million compared with the previous year.
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. In Japan, most cases occur in people who become infected abroad and develop symptoms after returning home, but malaria remains a major health challenge worldwide.
95% of deaths occur in the African Region
According to WHO, approximately 95% of malaria deaths in 2024 occurred in the WHO African Region, and many of those who died were children under 5. The mortality rate was 13.8 deaths per 100,000 people, more than 3 times the global target of 4.5.
UN estimates also identify malaria as the leading cause of death among children aged 1 month to under 5 years, accounting for 17%. For overall child mortality figures, see 4.9 Million Children Died Before Their 5th Birthday | UN Child Mortality Estimates explained in detail here.
Key figures from WHO's World malaria report 2025
・Cases: 282 million (2024, approximately 9 million more than the previous year)
・Deaths: 610,000 (approximately 95% in the African Region)
・WHO's estimated cases and deaths averted in 2024: 170 million cases and 1 million deaths
・Investment in 2024: US$3.9 billion (less than half the 2025 target of US$9.3 billion)
47 countries and 1 territory now certified malaria-free
There has also been progress. WHO has now certified 47 countries and 1 territory as malaria-free. Cabo Verde and Egypt joined the list in 2024, followed by Georgia, Suriname and Timor-Leste in 2025.
WHO-recommended malaria vaccines have been incorporated into routine immunization programmes in 24 countries. In 2024, programmes providing preventive medicines to children during the malaria season reached 54 million children in 20 countries, compared with approximately 200,000 in 2012. WHO estimates that these measures averted 170 million malaria cases and 1 million deaths in 2024 alone.
The barriers of drug resistance and funding shortages
The report also identifies factors that threaten this progress.
- Resistance to antimalarial medicines has been confirmed or is suspected in at least 8 African countries
- Mosquito resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, used in mosquito nets and other products, has been confirmed in 48 countries
- Anopheles stephensi, a mosquito species resistant to many insecticides, has spread to 9 African countries
- Investment in 2024 totalled US$3.9 billion, less than half the 2025 target of US$9.3 billion
For another set of infectious disease statistics compiled by an international organization, see 41 Million People Worldwide Are Living with HIV | UNAIDS Fact Sheet 2026 as well.
Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), World malaria report 2025 and news release (December 4, 2025)
※This article introduces statistics and system information published by public institutions and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any specific disease. If you have health concerns, please consult a medical institution.
—The Value Village Editorial Team
