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Malaria transmission occurs in 83 countries across five WHO regions. Since 2015, the WHO European Region has been free of malaria.
According to the , there were 263 million estimated cases of malaria globally in 2023, with an incidence of 60.4 cases per 1000 population at risk. This is an increase of 11 million cases from the previous year and a rise in incidence from 58.6 cases per 1000 population at risk in 2022. Globally, in 2023, the number of deaths was estimated at 597 000, with a mortality rate of 13.7 per 100 000.The WHO African Region continues to carry the heaviest burden of malaria, accounting for an estimated 94% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths worldwide in 2023; 76% of all deaths in this region were among children aged under 5 years.
Source: WMR2024
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Countries with indigenous cases in 2000 and their status by 2023
Countries and areas with zero indigenous cases for at least 3 consecutive years are considered to have eliminated malaria. In 2023, Malaysia reported zero indigenous cases caused by human Plasmodium species for the sixth consecutive year, and Saudi Arabia and Timor-Leste reported zero indigenous cases for the third consecutive year, ending the malaria epidemic. Cabo Verde and Belize were certified malaria free in 2023, following 4 years of zero malaria cases. Egypt has since been certified malaria free in 2024. Malaysia has a significant number of indigenous malaria cases caused by Plasmodium knowlesi infection.