How Many Affected by Malaria

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QUESTION

About how many people in the world are affected, die and survive malaria?

ANSWER

It has been estimated that about 3.3 billion people, or close to half the world’s population, is at risk of malaria infection at least at some point during the year. However, preventative measures mean that many fewer actually contract malaria in a given year—still, there are an estimated 216 million cases of malaria every year; of these, about 655,000 patients die. Most of these in children under the age of five, and most in sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria Deaths

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QUESTION 

what percent of people die each year from Malaria?

ANSWER

There are an estimated 216 million cases of malaria each year around the world, and about 655,000 deaths due to malaria. This means that overall mortality from malaria is actually very low, around 0.3%, of those who get infected. However, the majority of the people who die from malaria each year are children, and in sub-Saharan Africa.

In terms of the proportion of global deaths that are caused by malaria each year, the percentage is also very small—only about 1%. But that is still a lot compared to most other diseases, and malaria is still one of the leading causes of death of children under 5 in many parts of the tropics, and especially in Africa.