Charted: How far we've come in the battle against malaria

Apr 27, 2023

With the collaboration of Statista

Woman suffering from malaria and fever receives medical assistance.

World Malaria Day "is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control". Image: REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

Martin Armstrong

Data Journalist, Statista

World Malaria Day is observed every year on 25 April.
While progress has been made on malaria prevention and control over the past two decades, there is still much work to be done, says Statista.
There were an estimated 619,000 deaths caused by the disease in 2021 - down from 897,000 in 2000.

World Malaria Day, observed every year on April 25, "is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control". In 2023, the theme as designated by the World Health Organization is "Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement".

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What is the World Economic Forum doing to improve healthcare systems?

As this infographic shows, while progress has been made over the last two decades, there is still an incredible amount of work to be done. Globally in 2000 there were a total of 108 endemic countries. By 2021 this had dropped to 84, yet nearly half of the world's population was still classified as 'at risk' of malaria. There were an estimated 619,000 deaths caused by the disease in 2021 - down from 897,000 in 2000.

Map showing progress and challenges in the battle against malaria.

In 2021, nearly half of the world's population was still classified as 'at risk' of malaria. Image: Statista.

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