In 2023, malaria cases increased by approximately 11 million compared to 2022, reaching an estimated 263 million, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). This marks another year of minimal progress against the deadly disease.
The report noted 597,000 deaths in 2023, similar to the previous year, with the vast majority occurring among African children under the age of five.
“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,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
While malaria cases and deaths significantly declined between 2000 and 2015, progress has stagnated and even reversed since then, with a notable increase in mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in case numbers is not solely due to population growth; the incidence rate increased from 58 cases per 1,000 people at risk in 2015 to 60.4 in 2023, almost triple the WHO’s target. Additionally, there were 13.7 deaths per 100,000 people at risk, more than double the target.
Despite the availability of new tools to combat malaria, including two vaccines and next-generation bed nets, various challenges have hindered the response. These challenges include climate change, conflict and displacement, drug and insecticide resistance, and insufficient funding.
