GITNUXREPORT 2025

Epidemiological Statistics

Epidemiology reveals rising chronic diseases, pandemic impacts, and global health challenges.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global burden of disease attributable to air pollution was about 7 million deaths in 2019

Statistic 2

Approximately 80% of the global disease burden is in low and middle-income countries

Statistic 3

The estimated global economic burden of disease is around $2 trillion annually, representing approximately 2.8% of the global GDP

Statistic 4

The worldwide burden of mental health disorders cost approximately $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, economic impact, and healthcare costs

Statistic 5

The number of new cases of cervical cancer worldwide is approximately 600,000 annually, with survival rates varying significantly by region

Statistic 6

The estimated global prevalence of mental health disorders is around 25%, impacting over 1.1 billion people

Statistic 7

The global life expectancy at birth increased from 66.8 years in 2000 to 72.6 years in 2019

Statistic 8

Chronic diseases account for 71% of all deaths worldwide

Statistic 9

Tuberculosis caused an estimated 1.5 million deaths globally in 2020

Statistic 10

Pneumonia and influenza caused an estimated 1.6 million deaths globally in 2019

Statistic 11

The WHO estimates that vaccination prevents 2-3 million deaths globally each year

Statistic 12

The global maternal mortality rate was approximately 152 per 100,000 live births in 2017, down from 216 in 2015

Statistic 13

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in over 6.8 million deaths worldwide

Statistic 14

Globally, infectious diseases are responsible for approximately 24% of all deaths

Statistic 15

The prevalence of smoking among adults globally in 2019 was approximately 22%, leading to over 8 million deaths annually

Statistic 16

Approximately 15% of global deaths in 2019 were linked to alcohol use, equating to about 3 million deaths

Statistic 17

WHO estimates that by 2030, road traffic injuries will be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide

Statistic 18

The global prevalence of antibiotic resistance is increasing, with over 700,000 deaths annually due to resistant infections

Statistic 19

Child mortality rates have declined by 59% since 1990, with 5.2 million deaths in 2019, mainly from preventable causes

Statistic 20

The global suicide mortality rate is approximately 9 per 100,000 people, with an estimated 703,000 deaths annually

Statistic 21

Globally, hypertension contributes to approximately 10 million cardiovascular deaths annually

Statistic 22

The global burden of liver diseases accounts for around 2 million deaths annually, mostly due to hepatitis and fatty liver disease

Statistic 23

Over 1 million people die annually from road injuries, with young adults aged 15-29 most affected

Statistic 24

Malnutrition contributes to nearly half of all deaths in children under five, approximately 3 million annually

Statistic 25

HIV-related illnesses account for approximately 700,000 deaths annually, despite widespread efforts to control the epidemic

Statistic 26

Globally, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 74% of all deaths, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause

Statistic 27

In 2020, COVID-19 caused approximately 1.2 million excess deaths in the USA alone, highlighting the pandemic's impact on mortality

Statistic 28

The global burden of rabies causes approximately 59,000 deaths annually, mainly in Asia and Africa, mostly due to dog bites

Statistic 29

The global suicide rate in women is about 6 per 100,000, while in men it is approximately 14 per 100,000, reflecting gender disparities

Statistic 30

The global incidence of diarrheal diseases in children under five accounts for nearly 1 million deaths annually, mostly preventable with sanitation and vaccination

Statistic 31

Approximately 2.2 million deaths occurred globally in 2019 due to alcohol-attributable causes, with the majority being from liver cirrhosis

Statistic 32

The global burden of HIV/AIDS has decreased by 39% since 2004, with 37.7 million people living with HIV in 2020

Statistic 33

In 2020, approximately 219 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide, resulting in about 410,000 deaths

Statistic 34

The incidence of new cancer cases worldwide is expected to reach 28.4 million by 2040, a 47% increase from 2020

Statistic 35

The global prevalence of obesity was 13% among adults in 2016, impacting over 650 million people

Statistic 36

Around 50 million people worldwide live with dementia in 2020, expected to triple by 2050

Statistic 37

The global prevalence of diabetes was 8.8% among adults aged 20-79 in 2019, affecting 463 million people

Statistic 38

The prevalence of hypertension among adults worldwide is roughly 30%, totaling over 1.4 billion people

Statistic 39

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1 billion people worldwide are affected by parasitic diseases

Statistic 40

In 2020, there were approximately 220 million cases of seasonal influenza worldwide, leading to about 650,000 respiratory deaths

Statistic 41

The global prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases affects over 550 million people, including asthma and COPD

Statistic 42

The incidence of stroke globally is about 13.3 million cases per year, often resulting in long-term disability

Statistic 43

The global prevalence of chronic kidney disease is estimated at 9.1% of the population, affecting over 700 million people

Statistic 44

The global prevalence of anemia affects about 24.8% of the population, with higher rates in women and children

Statistic 45

In 2021, an estimated 1.5 million people worldwide were newly infected with tuberculosis, a decline from previous years but still a significant health issue

Statistic 46

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen positivity is about 3.7% globally, with higher prevalence in WHO African and Western Pacific regions

Statistic 47

The global prevalence of epileptic seizures is estimated to be about 70 million people, with many cases remaining undiagnosed

Statistic 48

The prevalence of sensitive periodontal disease in adults globally is about 11%, impacting overall health and quality of life

Statistic 49

In 2021, measles outbreaks caused over 800,000 cases globally, with vaccination gaps contributing significantly

Statistic 50

Approximately 10% of the global population is affected by at least one disability, with higher prevalence in low-income countries

Statistic 51

The prevalence of osteoporosis in women over 50 years old is approximately 30%, increasing the risk of fractures

Statistic 52

The proportion of people living with HIV who are aware of their status is about 84%, underlining gaps in testing and diagnosis

Statistic 53

The proportion of the global population exposed to unsafe water sources remains at around 12% in 2020, posing risks for waterborne diseases

Statistic 54

The number of new HIV infections decreased by 31% from 2010 to 2020 worldwide, indicating progress in prevention

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Key Highlights

The global life expectancy at birth increased from 66.8 years in 2000 to 72.6 years in 2019
Chronic diseases account for 71% of all deaths worldwide
Tuberculosis caused an estimated 1.5 million deaths globally in 2020
The global burden of HIV/AIDS has decreased by 39% since 2004, with 37.7 million people living with HIV in 2020
In 2020, approximately 219 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide, resulting in about 410,000 deaths
The incidence of new cancer cases worldwide is expected to reach 28.4 million by 2040, a 47% increase from 2020
Pneumonia and influenza caused an estimated 1.6 million deaths globally in 2019
The global prevalence of obesity was 13% among adults in 2016, impacting over 650 million people
The WHO estimates that vaccination prevents 2-3 million deaths globally each year
The global maternal mortality rate was approximately 152 per 100,000 live births in 2017, down from 216 in 2015
Around 50 million people worldwide live with dementia in 2020, expected to triple by 2050
The global burden of disease attributable to air pollution was about 7 million deaths in 2019
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in over 6.8 million deaths worldwide

With life expectancy on the rise and chronic diseases accounting for nearly three-quarters of all global deaths, the latest epidemiological data reveals both progress and persistent challenges in improving health worldwide.

Global Disease Burden and Economic Impact

The global burden of disease attributable to air pollution was about 7 million deaths in 2019
Approximately 80% of the global disease burden is in low and middle-income countries
The estimated global economic burden of disease is around $2 trillion annually, representing approximately 2.8% of the global GDP
The worldwide burden of mental health disorders cost approximately $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, economic impact, and healthcare costs

Global Disease Burden and Economic Impact Interpretation

Air pollution and mental health issues collectively impose a staggering $3 trillion annual toll—roughly 2.8% of the world's GDP—highlighting that even amid economic progress, the true cost of neglecting public health remains alarmingly high, particularly in low and middle-income nations bearing the brunt of this burden.

Incidence of Diseases

The number of new cases of cervical cancer worldwide is approximately 600,000 annually, with survival rates varying significantly by region

Incidence of Diseases Interpretation

With approximately 600,000 new cases of cervical cancer worldwide each year, the stark regional disparities in survival rates underscore the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.

Mental Health and Behavioral Health

The estimated global prevalence of mental health disorders is around 25%, impacting over 1.1 billion people

Mental Health and Behavioral Health Interpretation

With a quarter of the world's population grappling with mental health issues—more than a billion souls—the statistics starkly remind us that mental wellness isn't just a personal matter but a global imperative demanding urgent collective action.

Mortality and Mortality Causes

The global life expectancy at birth increased from 66.8 years in 2000 to 72.6 years in 2019
Chronic diseases account for 71% of all deaths worldwide
Tuberculosis caused an estimated 1.5 million deaths globally in 2020
Pneumonia and influenza caused an estimated 1.6 million deaths globally in 2019
The WHO estimates that vaccination prevents 2-3 million deaths globally each year
The global maternal mortality rate was approximately 152 per 100,000 live births in 2017, down from 216 in 2015
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in over 6.8 million deaths worldwide
Globally, infectious diseases are responsible for approximately 24% of all deaths
The prevalence of smoking among adults globally in 2019 was approximately 22%, leading to over 8 million deaths annually
Approximately 15% of global deaths in 2019 were linked to alcohol use, equating to about 3 million deaths
WHO estimates that by 2030, road traffic injuries will be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide
The global prevalence of antibiotic resistance is increasing, with over 700,000 deaths annually due to resistant infections
Child mortality rates have declined by 59% since 1990, with 5.2 million deaths in 2019, mainly from preventable causes
The global suicide mortality rate is approximately 9 per 100,000 people, with an estimated 703,000 deaths annually
Globally, hypertension contributes to approximately 10 million cardiovascular deaths annually
The global burden of liver diseases accounts for around 2 million deaths annually, mostly due to hepatitis and fatty liver disease
Over 1 million people die annually from road injuries, with young adults aged 15-29 most affected
Malnutrition contributes to nearly half of all deaths in children under five, approximately 3 million annually
HIV-related illnesses account for approximately 700,000 deaths annually, despite widespread efforts to control the epidemic
Globally, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 74% of all deaths, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause
In 2020, COVID-19 caused approximately 1.2 million excess deaths in the USA alone, highlighting the pandemic's impact on mortality
The global burden of rabies causes approximately 59,000 deaths annually, mainly in Asia and Africa, mostly due to dog bites
The global suicide rate in women is about 6 per 100,000, while in men it is approximately 14 per 100,000, reflecting gender disparities
The global incidence of diarrheal diseases in children under five accounts for nearly 1 million deaths annually, mostly preventable with sanitation and vaccination
Approximately 2.2 million deaths occurred globally in 2019 due to alcohol-attributable causes, with the majority being from liver cirrhosis

Mortality and Mortality Causes Interpretation

Despite remarkable gains in life expectancy and declines in child mortality, the persistent dominance of chronic and infectious diseases—exacerbated by lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol—and the devastating toll of pandemics, road injuries, and antibiotic resistance underscore that humanity's health battles are as complex and ongoing as ever.

Prevalence and Incidence of Diseases

The global burden of HIV/AIDS has decreased by 39% since 2004, with 37.7 million people living with HIV in 2020
In 2020, approximately 219 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide, resulting in about 410,000 deaths
The incidence of new cancer cases worldwide is expected to reach 28.4 million by 2040, a 47% increase from 2020
The global prevalence of obesity was 13% among adults in 2016, impacting over 650 million people
Around 50 million people worldwide live with dementia in 2020, expected to triple by 2050
The global prevalence of diabetes was 8.8% among adults aged 20-79 in 2019, affecting 463 million people
The prevalence of hypertension among adults worldwide is roughly 30%, totaling over 1.4 billion people
The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1 billion people worldwide are affected by parasitic diseases
In 2020, there were approximately 220 million cases of seasonal influenza worldwide, leading to about 650,000 respiratory deaths
The global prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases affects over 550 million people, including asthma and COPD
The incidence of stroke globally is about 13.3 million cases per year, often resulting in long-term disability
The global prevalence of chronic kidney disease is estimated at 9.1% of the population, affecting over 700 million people
The global prevalence of anemia affects about 24.8% of the population, with higher rates in women and children
In 2021, an estimated 1.5 million people worldwide were newly infected with tuberculosis, a decline from previous years but still a significant health issue
The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen positivity is about 3.7% globally, with higher prevalence in WHO African and Western Pacific regions
The global prevalence of epileptic seizures is estimated to be about 70 million people, with many cases remaining undiagnosed
The prevalence of sensitive periodontal disease in adults globally is about 11%, impacting overall health and quality of life
In 2021, measles outbreaks caused over 800,000 cases globally, with vaccination gaps contributing significantly
Approximately 10% of the global population is affected by at least one disability, with higher prevalence in low-income countries
The prevalence of osteoporosis in women over 50 years old is approximately 30%, increasing the risk of fractures

Prevalence and Incidence of Diseases Interpretation

Despite significant strides since 2004 in reducing HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, the rising tide of cancers, chronic conditions, and disabilities underscores that humanity's health battle remains a complex, persistent marathon rather than a sprint.

Vaccination, Prevention, and Risk Factors

The proportion of people living with HIV who are aware of their status is about 84%, underlining gaps in testing and diagnosis
The proportion of the global population exposed to unsafe water sources remains at around 12% in 2020, posing risks for waterborne diseases
The number of new HIV infections decreased by 31% from 2010 to 2020 worldwide, indicating progress in prevention

Vaccination, Prevention, and Risk Factors Interpretation

While the global strides in reducing HIV infections signal progress and increased awareness among 84% of those affected, the persistent 12% exposure to unsafe water sources and the ongoing testing gaps remind us that public health victories are still half-won without equitable access to safe living conditions and comprehensive diagnostics.