Since 2000, malaria control efforts have helped prevent 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths worldwide. In 2023 alone, more than 177 million cases and 1 million deaths were averted globally. Most cases (80%) and deaths (94%) averted were in the WHO African Region.1
Many countries with a low burden of malaria continue to move steadily towards the goal of elimination. In 2023, more than half (47) of the 83 malaria-endemic countries worldwide reported fewer than 10 000 cases of the disease.1
To date, WHO has certified 45 countries and 1 territory as malaria-free.2 These achievements are a reminder that with sufficient political commitment, financing, multisectoral action and community engagement, malaria can be defeated.
Despite significant progress, malaria remains a major public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where an estimated one person dies of the disease every minute.
In 2023, there were an estimated 263 million new malaria cases in 83 countries worldwide, up from 252 million in 2022 and 226 million in 2015.
The global tally of malaria deaths reached 597 000 in 2023 compared to 578 000 in 2015.1
.In many areas, challenges posed by extreme weather events, conflict and violence, and other global crises have disrupted malaria control efforts and threaten to reverse achievements in global malaria control.
A substantial funding gap is further hindering the implementation of effective interventions and the development of new tools. In 2023, total investments in malaria control reached US$ 4 billion, falling far short of the US$ 8.3 billion funding target of the WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2023.1
The 2025 U.S. funding cuts are compounding an already critical situation particularly for national malaria programmes in Africa. By mid-March, countries were reporting major disruptions in the delivery of essential health services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including malaria.3
The successful replenishments of The Global Fund and Gavi in 2025 are critical to financing malaria programmes and interventions, and accelerating progress towards the malaria control and elimination targets set in the WHO global malaria strategy.
Malaria control and elimination programmes don’t just save lives – they’re also a smart economic investment for malaria-endemic countries and their international partners.
Increase funding for malaria elimination and control: governments, donors, and the private sector must step up their financial commitments.
Support the full replenishment of the Global Fund and Gavi: ensure sustained resources for malaria programmes and interventions.
Boost domestic financing in endemic countries: ensure the long-term sustainability of malaria programmes through increased investment in malaria affected countries.
Invest in proven interventions: prioritize investments in WHO-recommended tools such as insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, chemoprevention, malaria vaccines and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs)
Build strong health systems: improve access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services, especially for people most at risk
The funding gap: according to the WHO’s World malaria report 2024, billions of dollars are still needed to get malaria efforts back on track to meet 2030 targets (US$ 4.3 billion funding gap in 2023).
Global Fund replenishment: the Global Fund provides 65% of international funding for malaria programmes. A fully funded Global Fund is essential to maintain progress and accelerate the fight against malaria.
Gavi’s role: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, supports the introduction and scale-up of malaria vaccines, a game-changing tool in the fight against the disease. Continued support for Gavi is crucial to ensure that these vaccines reach the children who need them most
Impact of investment: every dollar invested in malaria control generates significant economic returns, contributing to increased productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and improved quality of life.
The urgency of action: failure to increase investment in malaria will result in more cases, more deaths, and a reversal of the progress made over the past two decades.
