Rachel V Thomas

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Global TB Deaths Fall 35% Since 2015, But 2030 Target Remains Distant: WHO

Global <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/tuberculosis">tuberculosis</a></span> (TB) deaths have fallen by 35% since 2015, but progress in reducing new infections remains slow, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The <span>Global <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/tuberculosis">Tuberculosis</a> Report 2026</span> showed that TB remained the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent in 2025 and ranked 13th among all causes of death.

Based primarily on data reported to WHO by 187 countries and areas, the report estimates that 1.13 million people died from TB in 2025, while 10.6 million developed the disease.

<h2><span rel="noindex">TB Death Reduction Milestone</span> Achieved Five Years Late</h2>

Compared with 1.74 million deaths in 2015, TB deaths fell by 35% in 2025, marking the achievement of the first milestone of the WHO <span>End TB Strategy</span>, originally set for 2020. However, the strategy's target of a 90% reduction in TB deaths by 2030 remains distant.

Progress in reducing new infections has been slower. The global TB incidence rate fell by just 14% between 2015 and 2025, against a target of a 50% reduction by 2025.

<h2>India Accounts For One In Four <span rel="noindex">Global TB Cases</span></h2>

India was among two high-burden countries, alongside China, to achieve a 35% reduction in TB deaths since 2015. However, it continued to account for approximately one in four TB cases worldwide in 2025.

The report highlights persistent gaps in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and financing, underscoring the need for sustained investment and stronger health services.

International donor funding for <span>TB prevention</span>, diagnosis and treatment in low- and middle-income countries fell by 14% in 2025, from US$1.1 billion to US$940 million.

WHO cautions that estimates of TB disease burden should be interpreted using the latest published time series, as direct comparisons with estimates from previous report editions are not appropriate.

"The continued decline in TB cases and deaths is very encouraging, especially given the challenges many countries have faced from funding cuts. And yet, more than one million people still die each year from a disease that is preventable and treatable," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

He urged countries and partners to expand access to TB services, protect essential funding and accelerate the development of new tools to end the epidemic.

<h2>Which Countries Account For The Most TB Cases?</h2>

The 30 high TB burden countries accounted for 88% of global cases in 2025. The eight countries with the largest shares were:

<ul><li>India: Approximately 25%</li><li>Indonesia: 10%</li><li>Philippines: 6.8%</li><li>China: 6.5%</li><li>Pakistan: 6.4%</li><li>Nigeria: 4.9%</li><li>Democratic Republic of the Congo: 3.9%</li><li>Bangladesh: 3.7%</li></ul>

Of all people who developed TB in 2025, 54% were men, 35% were women and 11% were children.

<h2>Key Findings: TB Diagnosis And Drug-Resistant Treatment</h2>

The report also highlights gaps in TB diagnosis and treatment, particularly for drug-resistant forms of the disease.

An estimated 10.6 million people developed TB in 2025, but only 8.4 million were diagnosed and reported to WHO. The remaining estimated cases were not captured by diagnosis and reporting systems.

<ul><li><strong> Rapid testing:</strong> 59% of newly diagnosed patients were initially tested using a rapid diagnostic test, up from 54% in 2024. This remains below the 2027 target of 100%.</li><li><strong><span rel="noindex"><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/drug-resistant-tb">Drug-resistant TB</a></span>:</strong> 155,333 people received treatment for rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB), accounting for 42% of the estimated 370,000 people who developed the disease.</li><li><strong>Shorter treatment:</strong> Six-month treatment regimens were used for 42% of people treated for RR-TB, compared with 18% in 2024.</li><li><strong>Treatment success:</strong> Success rates remained around 90% for drug-susceptible TB and 70% for RR-TB.</li></ul>

<h2>TB Risk Factors And Vaccine Development</h2>

The report identifies several factors associated with the number of people developing TB each year at the country level. These include income per capita and the prevalence of undernutrition, diabetes, alcohol use disorders, smoking and HIV infection.

TB vaccine research is also progressing. As of August 2026, 12 TB vaccines were in active clinical development, including three in Phase 3 trials.

<h2>TB Prevention And Treatment Coverage</h2>

In 2025, 5.2 million people at high risk of developing TB received preventive treatment, including 3.7 million household contacts of people diagnosed with TB and 1.5 million people living with HIV.

<ul><li>Among people living with HIV, preventive treatment coverage increased from 58% in 2024 to 60% in 2025.</li><li>Among household contacts of people diagnosed with TB, coverage rose from 25% to 26%.</li></ul>

Between 2000 and 2025, TB treatment is estimated to have prevented 86 million deaths.

<h2>TB Funding Falls Short Of Global Targets</h2>

Funding for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment in low- and middle-income countries reached US$6.6 billion in 2025, up from US$6 billion in 2024. However, this remains substantially below the annual target of US$22 billion by 2027.

<ul><li><strong>Domestic funding:</strong> Increased from US$4.9 billion in 2024 to US$5.63 billion in 2025.</li><li><strong>International donor funding:</strong> Declined by 14%, from US$1.1 billion to US$940 million.</li></ul>

The economic burden also remains significant. About 50% of people with TB and their households face costs exceeding 20% of their annual household income, highlighting the need for stronger universal health coverage and social protection.

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Global tuberculosis (TB) deaths have fallen by 35% since 2015, but progress in reducing new infections remains slow, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO).The Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 showed that TB remained the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent in 2025 and ranked 13th among all causes of death.Based primarily on data reported to WHO by 187 countries and areas, the report estimates that 1.13 million people died from TB in 2025, while 10.6 million developed the disease.TB Death Reduction Milestone Achieved Five Years LateCompared with 1.74 million deaths in 2015, TB deaths fell by 35% in 2025, marking the achievement of the first milestone of the WHO End TB Strategy, originally set for 2020. However, the strategy's target of a 90% reduction in TB deaths by 2030 remains distant.Progress in reducing new infections has been slower. The global TB incidence rate fell by just 14% between 2015 and 2025, against a target of a 50% reduction by 2025.India Accounts For One In Four Global TB CasesIndia was among two high-burden countries, alongside China, to achieve a 35% reduction in TB deaths since 2015. However, it continued to account for approximately one in four TB cases worldwide in 2025.The report highlights persistent gaps in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and financing, underscoring the need for sustained investment and stronger health services.International donor funding for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment in low- and middle-income countries fell by 14% in 2025, from US$1.1 billion to US$940 million.WHO cautions that estimates of TB disease burden should be interpreted using the latest published time series, as direct comparisons with estimates from previous report editions are not appropriate."The continued decline in TB cases and deaths is very encouraging, especially given the challenges many countries have faced from funding cuts. And yet, more than one million people still die each year from a disease that is preventable and treatable," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.He urged countries and partners to expand access to TB services, protect essential funding and accelerate the development of new tools to end the epidemic.Which Countries Account For The Most TB Cases?The 30 high TB burden countries accounted for 88% of global cases in 2025. The eight countries with the largest shares were:India: Approximately 25%Indonesia: 10%Philippines: 6.8%China: 6.5%Pakistan: 6.4%Nigeria: 4.9%Democratic Republic of the Congo: 3.9%Bangladesh: 3.7%Of all people who developed TB in 2025, 54% were men, 35% were women and 11% were children.Key Findings: TB Diagnosis And Drug-Resistant TreatmentThe report also highlights gaps in TB diagnosis and treatment, particularly for drug-resistant forms of the disease.An estimated 10.6 million people developed TB in 2025, but only 8.4 million were diagnosed and reported to WHO. The remaining estimated cases were not captured by diagnosis and reporting systems.Other findings include: Rapid testing: 59% of newly diagnosed patients were initially tested using a rapid diagnostic test, up from 54% in 2024. This remains below the 2027 target of 100%.Drug-resistant TB: 155,333 people received treatment for rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB), accounting for 42% of the estimated 370,000 people who developed the disease.Shorter treatment: Six-month treatment regimens were used for 42% of people treated for RR-TB, compared with 18% in 2024.Treatment success: Success rates remained around 90% for drug-susceptible TB and 70% for RR-TB.TB Risk Factors And Vaccine DevelopmentThe report identifies several factors associated with the number of people developing TB each year at the country level. These include income per capita and the prevalence of undernutrition, diabetes, alcohol use disorders, smoking and HIV infection.TB vaccine research is also progressing. As of August 2026, 12 TB vaccines were in active clinical development, including three in Phase 3 trials.TB Prevention And Treatment CoverageIn 2025, 5.2 million people at high risk of developing TB received preventive treatment, including 3.7 million household contacts of people diagnosed with TB and 1.5 million people living with HIV.Coverage remained uneven:Among people living with HIV, preventive treatment coverage increased from 58% in 2024 to 60% in 2025.Among household contacts of people diagnosed with TB, coverage rose from 25% to 26%.Between 2000 and 2025, TB treatment is estimated to have prevented 86 million deaths.TB Funding Falls Short Of Global TargetsFunding for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment in low- and middle-income countries reached US$6.6 billion in 2025, up from US$6 billion in 2024. However, this remains substantially below the annual target of US$22 billion by 2027.Domestic funding: Increased from US$4.9 billion in 2024 to US$5.63 billion in 2025.International donor funding: Declined by 14%, from US$1.1 billion to US$940 million.The economic burden also remains significant. About 50% of people with TB and their households face costs exceeding 20% of their annual household income, highlighting the need for stronger universal health coverage and social protection.

global tb deaths fall 35% since 2015, but 2030 target remains distant: who

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