Global Tuberculosis Cases Decline, but Targets Still Out of Reach
Global tuberculosis cases are declining slightly, but the progress is five years behind schedule, according to the WHO's latest report.
CHENNAI, Nov 13: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a decline in tuberculosis (TB) cases, but progress is lagging five years behind the targets set for 2025.
The WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 indicates that the incidence rate globally reached 129 cases per 100,000 people in 2025, down from 131 in 2024, marking a 1.6% drop. Over the past decade, TB incidence has fallen by 14%, but this is far short of the 50% reduction target established by the End TB Strategy.
Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, director at WHO, noted that funding for TB prevention and treatment reached $6.6 billion in 2025, only 30% of the $22 billion target for 2027. The report reveals a concerning trend in funding, as many countries are experiencing a decline in international financial support.
Approximately 1.13 million people died from TB in 2025, a decrease from 1.18 million in 2024, reflecting a 35% reduction in deaths since 2015. Despite this progress, TB remains the leading global infectious disease killer, and 88% of cases are concentrated in 30 high-burden countries, including India, which accounts for about 25% of the global total.
Data show that 54% of TB patients are men, while women make up 35% and children 11%. Significant progress has been recognized in regions such as Africa and Europe, as well as in India and China.
Domestic funding for TB interventions has increased by 14%, amounting to $5.6 billion in 2025. This rise partially offsets the drop in international funding that many countries have faced. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, remarked on the encouraging decline in TB cases despite funding challenges, while emphasizing the need for increased access to TB services.
India has recorded a 38% reduction in TB mortality since 2015 and a 94% treatment success rate for drug-susceptible TB. The country reported 35% of new TB cases in the South-East Asia Region in 2025.
The WHO report also pointed out that the availability of timely diagnosis remains a critical issue, with 2.2 million people either undiagnosed or unreported. Drug-resistant TB poses a significant public health hazard, as only 42% of those diagnosed with drug-resistant TB received treatment in 2025.
As countries strive to meet TB reduction targets by 2030, WHO urges enhanced political commitment and sustainable funding to support TB care and research initiatives. The ongoing challenges highlight the need for dedicated resources to combat this preventable and treatable disease.