Reaching the zero malaria target

Key facts

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
• In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide.
• The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 409 000 in 2019.
• Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria; in 2019, they accounted for 67% (274 000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.
• The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2019, the region was home to 94% of malaria cases and deaths.
• Total funding for malaria control and elimination reached an estimated US$ 3 billion in 2019. Contributions from governments of endemic countries amounted to US$ 900 million, representing 31% of total funding.

Over the last two decades, a growing number of countries have been approaching, and achieving, malaria elimination.

• The number of countries with less than 1000 malaria cases more than doubled – from 14 countries in 2000 to 34 countries in 2019.

• Twenty-four countries achieved zero malaria transmission for three years or more between 2000 and 2020. These countries include:

» Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cabo Verde, China, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

• Eleven countries were certified malaria-free by WHO between 2000 and 2021.

» United Arab Emirates (2007), Morocco (2010), Turkmenistan (2010), Armenia (2011), Sri Lanka (2016)Kyrgyzstan (2016), Paraguay (2018), Uzbekistan (2018), Algeria (2019), Argentina (2019) and El Salvador (2021). » Globally, a total of 38 countries and territories have been certified malaria-free by WHO.