Background

According to the latest World malaria report, published in December 2022, malaria claimed the lives of an estimated 619 000 people in 2021, compared to 625 000 in 2020. There were some 247 million new cases of malaria in 2021 compared to 245 million in 2020.

The WHO African Region continues to shoulder the heaviest burden of the disease – accounting, in 2021, for an estimated 95% of all malaria cases (234 million) and 96% of all deaths (593 000). Nearly 80% of malaria deaths in the African Region were among children under the age of 5.

For the latest trends in other malaria-endemic regions, see WHO’s regional briefing kit from the World malaria report 2022.

The world is not on track to reach 2 critical targets of the WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030:

1. reducing global malaria case incidence by 90% or more by 2030; and
2. reducing the global malaria mortality rate by 90% or more by 2030.

Urgent and concerted action is needed to set the world back on a trajectory towards achieving these targets, as well as Target 3.3. of the Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for ending malaria by 2030.

Malaria disproportionately affects the most marginalized populations in society, including the rural poor, pregnant women, children, migrants, refugees, religious minorities and indigenous people. Children in the poorest households are 5 times more likely to be infected with malaria. Malaria is also more prevalent among young children whose mothers have a lower level of education and live in rural areas. Reaching these populations with malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment is a critical strategy for achieving global malaria targets and delivering on the promise of “zero malaria.”

Despite a remarkable effort to scale up malaria control over the last 2 decades, too many people are missing out on the interventions they need to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. Overall, 30% of the global population cannot access essential health services, and between 1.4–1.9 billion people face catastrophic or impoverishing health spending, with significant inequities affecting the most vulnerable.

In low-income countries, poor quality health care is responsible for a greater number of deaths than lack of access to care. Although the number of children receiving diagnosis and treatment in the public sector has slightly increased, more is needed to ensure quality of care, which includes a reliable supply of life-saving medicines and diagnostics as well as addressing critical shortages of health workers.

Strong health systems are the backbone of successful responses to malaria. Health systems need to be radically reorientated towards primary health care (PHC). About 90% of essential health services can be delivered through PHC, including many services to promote health, prevent disease, and avoid the need for more costly secondary and tertiary care. Taking full advantage of a PHC approach will enable health interventions at the community level and extend the reach of health services.