Health · Public Health & Disease · 1 hr ago
TB cases and deaths fell in 2025, but progress remains behind schedule
The World Health Organization says global tuberculosis cases and deaths began falling again in 2025 after progress was disrupted by COVID-19.
The rate was 129 new cases per 100,000 people, down 1.6% from 2024.
Since 2015, the rate has fallen 14%, far short of the 50% reduction targeted for 2025, leaving progress five years behind schedule.
India had about one-quarter of the world's cases, while 30 high-burden countries together accounted for 88%.
Around 1.13 million people died from TB in 2025, 4% fewer than in 2024 and 35% fewer than in 2015.
Funding reached $6.6 billion, only 30% of the $22 billion annual target for 2027, and WHO warns funding cuts could threaten progress.
The agency says any effects on diagnosis, treatment and prevention may take time to appear, so their impact needs continued attention.
The World Health Organization said tuberculosis cases and deaths declined globally in 2025.
The TB incidence rate fell 1.6% from 2024, to 129 new cases per 100,000 people.
About 1.13 million people died from TB in 2025, 4% fewer than in 2024.
Progress remains behind schedule: incidence fell 14% from 2015 to 2025, well short of the 50% target for 2025.
The WHO report said 2025 funding for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment was $6.6 billion, 30% of the 2027 annual target.
- Who
- The World Health Organization reported the global TB figures.
- What
- TB incidence and deaths declined in 2025, but progress remains behind targets.
- When
- The figures cover 2025; the WHO released its 2026 World TB report on Thursday.
- Where
- Globally.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The TB incidence rate was the baseline for a decade-long decline, and 1.74 million people died from TB.
The TB incidence rate was 131 new cases per 100,000 people, and 1.18 million people died from TB.
The incidence rate fell to 129 per 100,000 people, and TB deaths fell to around 1.13 million.
The WHO released its 2026 World TB report.
- TB incidence in 2025
- 129 new cases per 100,000 people
- Change in incidence, 2024–2025
- Down 1.6%
- TB deaths in 2025
- Around 1.13 million
- Change in deaths, 2024–2025
- Down 4%
- TB funding in 2025
- $6.6 billion, 30% of the $22 billion annual target for 2027
What people are saying
In 2025, total funding for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment reached $6.6 billions, just 30% of the $22 billion annual target for 2027
There are also high TB burden countries where overall funding fell in 2025. And although there was no clear-cut negative impact on TB diagnosis, treatment and prevention in 2025, based on the data that have been reported so far, we know that impacts may be delayed, and this is something that needs ongoing attention