Algiers, Algeria – The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that approximately 610,000 people died from malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024. The organization warns of the escalating risks posed by drug resistance, climate change, and dwindling funding for malaria control programs.
According to the WHO’s annual malaria report, this figure represents a slight increase compared to the number of deaths recorded in 2023. The report also indicates a rise in malaria cases, from an estimated 273 million to 282 million.
The WHO emphasized that an unacceptable number of people are still dying from a preventable and curable disease. Growing resistance to the active ingredients in malaria drugs and insecticides used in bed nets, coupled with the effects of climate change and ongoing conflicts, are major challenges in combating the mosquito-borne illness.
The report also highlighted an increase in the incidence rate of malaria between 2015 and 2024, rising from 59 to 64 cases per 100,000 at-risk individuals. While the mortality rate has decreased, the reduction is marginal, falling from 14.9 to 13.8 deaths per 100,000 at-risk individuals.
Africa remains the continent most heavily impacted by malaria, accounting for a disproportionately high percentage of global cases and deaths. Approximately 95% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria-related deaths in 2024 occurred in Africa. The majority of these cases are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, with countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo bearing the heaviest burden.
