World Malaria Day 2025
24 Apr 2025
Malaria is a severe but preventable and treatable disease.
World Malaria Day takes place on 25 April each year to highlight the need for continued commitment to prevent and control malaria worldwide.
Malaria burden
Malaria is a parasite infection that is transmitted to people by the bite of female mosquitoes. It is widespread in many tropical and subtropical countries. According to the latest World Malaria Report, there were in 2023 an estimated:
- 263 million new cases of malaria (up from 252 million in 2022)
- 597,000 malaria-related deaths worldwide (similar numbers as 2022)
The World Health Organization (WHO) African region accounted for 95% of malaria cases and deaths in 2023. Almost half of all malaria deaths worldwide occurred in the following 4 countries:
- Nigeria (30.9%)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (11.3%)
- Niger (5.9%)
- United Republic of Tanzania (4.3%)
Children under 5 years are the most vulnerable age group affected by malaria. In 2023, children under 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 76% of all malaria deaths worldwide.
Theme for 2025 World Malaria Day
The theme for 2025 is 'Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite’
- This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) joins the RMB partnership to End Malaria and other partners to try and re-focus efforts at all levels, from global policy to community action, to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination.
- Additional information on the World Malaria Day 2025 campaign is available on the WHO website
Further information about malaria and how to prevent malaria can be found in our malaria pages.