MALARIA KEY FACTS

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die. In 2015 an estimated 214 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and 438,000 people died, mostly children in the African Region.

Key Facts

The problem

In 2015:

• 214 million cases globally
• 438,000 deaths globally
• 90% of deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa
• 70% of deaths are children under five
• About 3.2 billion people – almost half of the world’s population – are at risk of malaria
• In 2015, 97 countries had on-going malaria transmission
• 80% of estimated malaria cases occur in 15 most affected countries
• 35% of malaria deaths occur in just two countries: Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cost of malaria

• Since 2000 malaria has cost sub-Saharan Africa US$ 300 million each year for case management alone
• Malaria is estimated to cost endemic countries up to 1.3% GDP
• Achieving 2030 targets for malaria control will add an estimated US$ 1.2 trillion to endemic countries’ economies
• Malaria can account for up to 40% of public health spending in the most endemic countries
• Malaria and the costs of treatment trap families in a cycle of illness, suffering and poverty

Progress since 2000

Between 2000 and 2015:

• The malaria mortality rate has fallen by 60% globally
• The number of malaria cases has fallen by 37% globally
• As a result, it is estimated that there has been a cumulative 1.2 billion fewer malaria cases and 6.2 million fewer malaria deaths
• 57 countries reduced malaria incidence by more than 75%, and a further 18 reduced malaria incidence by 50-75%..

Required health expenditure

• In 2014, the global total of international and domestic funding for malaria was US$ 2.5 billion – less than half of what is needed.
• It is estimated that annual investments must increase to US$ 6.4 billion by 2020, then US$ 7.7 billion by 2025, and finally $US 8.7 billion by 2030 – in order to achieve a 90% malaria reduction.