Archive · 13 Nov 2025
WHO: TB Kills 1.23 Million Globally, Progress Hindered by Funding Gaps
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a sickness that spreads through the air, like a bad cough.
Last year, it was the deadliest sickness of its kind, and sadly, 1.23 million people around the world passed away from it.
This is a little bit better than the year before, but it's still a lot of people.
India had the most cases of TB.
TB can be stopped and cured, but doctors and nurses need more money to help everyone get the medicine they need.
Even though there's a lot of work to do, scientists are developing new ways to find, treat, and prevent TB.
We need everyone to work together to make sure no one dies from a sickness that can be treated.
Tuberculosis (TB) caused an estimated 1.23 million deaths in 2024, making it the world's deadliest infectious disease.
Global TB cases and deaths have seen a decrease, marking the first decline since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health services.
Despite progress, funding for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment remains critically low, falling far short of the necessary annual goal.
India carries the largest burden of TB globally, accounting for 25% of all cases.
Record numbers of people are being diagnosed and treated for TB, and research is advancing with new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines in development.
- Who
- World Health Organization (WHO), WHO official Tereza Kasaeva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, The Global Fund
- What
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world's deadliest infectious disease, causing 1.23 million deaths in 2024, despite a 3% drop from the previous year. Progress is threatened by stagnant funding.
- When
- 2024 (data for deaths and cases), Wednesday (WHO report release), Since 2000 (lives saved), 2027 (funding goal)
- Where
- Worldwide, with India bearing the heaviest burden.
- Why
- TB is spread through the air and mainly affects the lungs. Despite being preventable and treatable, progress is hindered by insufficient funding for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Progress Made
Challenges Ahead
TB Decline
Progress Made
Tuberculosis cases and deaths have seen a decline, with 1.23 million deaths in 2024 and a 3% drop from 2023. This is the first decrease since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health services.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the decline, TB remains the world's deadliest infectious disease. The number of annual deaths is still unacceptably high, and progress is at risk due to insufficient funding.
Funding for TB Programs
Progress Made
Record numbers of people are being diagnosed and treated, with 8.3 million new diagnoses and treatments, and success rates rising to 71%. Advances in research show promise with new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines in development.
Challenges Ahead
Available funding for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment ($5.9 billion) is significantly below the $22 billion annual goal set for 2027. This stagnant funding threatens further progress and the ability to end TB.
- Estimated TB Deaths (2024)
- 1.23 million
- TB Cases (2024)
- 10.7 million
- TB Incidence Decline (2023-2024)
- Nearly 2%
- TB Deaths Decline (2023-2024)
- 3%
- Funding Available for TB (2024)
- $5.9 billion
- Annual Funding Goal for TB (2027)
- $22 billion
- Countries with Highest TB Burden
- India (25%), Indonesia (10%), Philippines (6.8%), China (6.5%), Pakistan (6.3%)
- Lives Saved by Timely Care (Since 2000)
- 83 million
Sources
Fresh TB cases drop by 21% since 2015: Health ministry cites WHO report
India reports 21% drop in TB incidence, nearly double the global decline: WHO Global TB Report 2025
TB burden dips but India far from elimination target, says global TB report: Goal of reducing 50% of cases, 75% of deaths since 2015 seem distant
Tuberculosis Cases In India Drop By 21%, Almost Double The Rate Of Decline Globally
India recorded most tuberculosis cases globally in 2024: WHO
Philippines ramps up TB control efforts, targets 12 million screenings by 2026
PM Modi hails India’s sharpest-ever decline in TB cases, nearly double the global average
What it’s like to have pulmonary tuberculosis in modern-day India: ‘I remember calling my mother at 3 AM…’
India reports 21 pc drop in new TB cases, double the global decline: Govt
PM Modi lauds reduction in tuberculosis incidence in India
