WHO's Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 highlights progress and challenges
Despite progress in reducing TB incidence and mortality, the WHO warns that long-term funding cuts could lead to millions of additional cases and deaths, underscoring the importance of continued international support and innovation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published their Global Tuberculosis Report 2025. With the findings, WHO warns that barriers like funding and care accessibility could backtrack progress. Additional findings are summarized in a press release.
More than 10 million people globally had an experience with tuberculosis (TB) last year, according to WHO. Key findings:
Overall TB cases and deaths are declining.
In the last decade, TB cases dropped by 28% and 39% in the WHO African and European Regions, respectfully.
More than 100 countries experienced a 20% drop in TB cases.
65 countries experienced at least a 35% drop in TB deaths.
Most TB cases last year were centered in 30 countries.
More than 8 million individuals received TB diagnosis and treatment in 2024.
In 2024, the coverage of rapid testing for TB diagnosis was 54%.
63 diagnostic TB tests were being developed as of August.
Drug-resistant TB rates are declining.
WHO reported that global TB funding is at only about 25% of its 2027 target. Furthermore, “long-term cuts to international donor funding could result in up to 2 million additional deaths and 10 million people falling ill with TB between 2025 and 2035.”
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and STIs emphasized in a press release, “We are at a defining moment in the fight against TB. Funding cuts and persistent drivers of the epidemic threaten to undo hard-won gains, but with political commitment, sustained investment, and global solidarity, we can turn the tide and end this ancient killer once and for all.”
