World Malaria Report 2024: Funding shortfalls are stalling progress

This year’s World Malaria Report paints a mixed picture of progress in the fight against malaria. While advancements in science and innovation – that include next generation bed nets and vaccines - are saving lives, rising malaria cases and funding gaps threaten to stall global efforts.

Deaths from malaria are down

The report shows that global malaria mortality rate has declined to one of the lowest recorded, dropping from 14.9 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 to 13.7 in 2023. Malaria deaths also fell by 0.5% to 597,000, the lowest number since before the COVID-19 pandemic. New innovations in the malaria fight are helping deliver critical protection to children under five - who still account for nearly three-quarters of all malaria deaths globally.

Rising Cases Signal a Warning

Despite these advances, malaria cases increased to 263 million in 2023, the highest on record, with the case incidence rising to 60.4 per 1,000 at risk. This troubling trend highlights the ongoing challenges posed by fragile health systems, growing resistance to drugs and insecticides, and the impact of extreme weather and humanitarian crises.

The UK’s Role in Driving Innovation

The report highlights the significant role of global investment in malaria research and development, including advances in malaria vaccines. In 2023, funding for malaria R&D reached $49 million, reflecting a record-breaking investment that underscores the importance of continued innovation in the fight against malaria. The UK, as a leading contributor to malaria research, plays a pivotal role in driving these advancements and supporting efforts to develop new tools that save lives

“The fall in the rate at which people are dying from malaria shows investment in science is making a difference. But a perfect storm of rising drug and insecticide resistance, extreme weather events, and humanitarian crises mean, despite malaria being preventable, a child still dies every minute from the disease.

“British-backed malaria science and investment has made a significant contribution, with the rollout of two vaccines and next-generation nets helping to save lives and enhance the role of British innovation on the global stage.

“We need the UK government to maintain this leadership with others in 2025 by fully funding the key global health bodies that support malaria programming, so these interventions can urgently reach the children who need them and to deliver the full global impact of groundbreaking science."

Gareth Jenkins, Executive Director of Advocacy and Strategy at Malaria No More UK

Next generation bed nets and bed bets are helping save lives and livelihoods...

A Call for Urgent Action

The report reveals that malaria funding remains far short of the $8.3 billion target needed to meet global malaria goals, with only $4bn received. If we are to get back on track we need to increase funding rapidly to accelerate efforts and reverse the rising number of cases.

The fight against malaria is at a crossroads. With the replenishments of the Global Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, expected in 2025, sustained investment and international cooperation are critical. Malaria elimination remains within reach—but only if decisive action and investment are made now.

Key Stats from the World Malaria Report

The rate at which people are dying from malaria is now back to where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. It fell from 14.9 deaths per 100,000 people at risk in 2015 to 13.7 in 2023.
Globally, there were 263 million malaria cases in 2023, slightly more than the 252 million cases reported in 2022.
The number of people dying from malaria dropped slightly in 2023 to 597,000, down from 600,000 in 2022. However, it is still higher than the 567,000 deaths recorded in 2019 before the pandemic.
Malaria is spreading more widely. For every 1,000 people at risk, 60.4 caught malaria in 2023, compared to 58.6 in 2022.
Most malaria cases and deaths are concentrated in Sub Saharan Africa. In 2023 this region accounted for 94% of all malaria cases (247 million) and 95% of all deaths (569,000).
Children under five in Sub Saharan Africa are the hardest hit, making up to 76% of malaria deaths in the region - 432,000 children lost their lives to malaria in 2023.
Global funding to fight malaria is falling far short of what’s needed. Only $4 billion was raised in 2023, less than half of the $8.3 billion target. This is a slight drop from 2022, when $4.1 billion was raised against a target of $7.8 billion. The gap is growing.