GITNUXREPORT 2026

Life Statistics

Human biology is miraculous yet global health faces profound preventable challenges.

Written by Samuel Norberg·Edited by Stefan Wendt·Fact-checked by Katherine Brennan

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified Apr 16, 2026·Next review: Oct 2026

How We Build This Report

Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Statistic 1

2024 global health expenditure reached an estimated $10.9 trillion (or $1,381 per person).

Statistic 2

In 2023, the global digital health market was estimated at $200 billion.

Statistic 3

In 2022, global spending on research and development in health was about $263 billion (G-FINDER survey).

Statistic 4

In 2023, global health R&D investments for neglected diseases were about $5.8 billion (G-FINDER).

Statistic 5

In 2023, global health R&D for tuberculosis was about $1.0 billion (G-FINDER).

Statistic 6

In 2023, global health R&D for HIV was about $5.0 billion (G-FINDER).

Statistic 7

In 2022, the European Union pharmaceutical market was about €300 billion in ex-manufacturer sales.

Statistic 8

In 2022, the global home healthcare market was estimated at $375 billion.

Statistic 9

In 2023, the global wound care market was estimated at $6.8 billion.

Statistic 10

In 2023, the global obesity management market was estimated at $6.2 billion.

Statistic 11

In 2023, the global diabetes care market was estimated at $141.4 billion.

Statistic 12

In 2023, the global cardiovascular drugs market was estimated at $180 billion.

Statistic 13

In 2023, the global oncology drugs market was estimated at $196 billion.

Statistic 14

In 2021, 1.7 million deaths were attributed to road injuries worldwide.

Statistic 15

In 2022, there were about 1.1 million deaths from tuberculosis (TB) among people with HIV-negative status.

Statistic 16

In 2022, about 410,000 people died of TB among people with HIV-positive status.

Statistic 17

In 2022, 7.5 million people developed TB disease and were reported to have developed it (incidence).

Statistic 18

In 2022, global new HIV infections were estimated at 1.3 million.

Statistic 19

In 2022, an estimated 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes globally.

Statistic 20

In 2022, there were 10.6 million new cases of TB worldwide (together with HIV-positive and HIV-negative cases).

Statistic 21

In 2022, 2.1 million people died from diarrhoeal diseases worldwide.

Statistic 22

In 2022, 700,000 people died from cholera globally.

Statistic 23

In 2022, 1.5 million deaths were estimated to be due to meningitis.

Statistic 24

In 2019, road traffic injuries caused 1.35 million deaths globally.

Statistic 25

In 2019, 20–50 million people suffered non-fatal injuries from road traffic crashes globally.

Statistic 26

In 2020, 10 million people died from cancers (WHO estimates).

Statistic 27

In 2022, 8.8 million people died from tuberculosis worldwide (TB disease).

Statistic 28

In 2021, an estimated 8.2 million people died from HIV/AIDS-related causes.

Statistic 29

In 2019, 4.4 million deaths were due to air pollution exposure (WHO global estimates).

Statistic 30

In 2019, 4.2 million deaths were due to household air pollution.

Statistic 31

In 2021, an estimated 15 million people became sick with tuberculosis (TB).

Statistic 32

In 2022, the global number of people living with hepatitis B was estimated at 254 million.

Statistic 33

In 2019, there were 71 million cases of hepatitis C globally.

Statistic 34

In 2022, the global under-5 mortality rate was 38 per 1,000 live births.

Statistic 35

In 2022, the neonatal mortality rate was 17 per 1,000 live births.

Statistic 36

In 2022, 733 million people experienced food insecurity (FAO estimate).

Statistic 37

In 2022, 783 million people were undernourished globally.

Statistic 38

In 2022, 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet.

Statistic 39

In 2022, 7.8 million deaths were attributable to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

Statistic 40

In 2019, 5.7 million deaths were attributable to air pollution.

Statistic 41

In 2019, 4.2 million deaths were attributable to household air pollution.

Statistic 42

In 2019, 3.6 million deaths were attributable to ambient air pollution.

Statistic 43

In 2022, 1 in 10 people (about 10%) in the world were living with a disability (WHO).

Statistic 44

In 2022, about 14% of the world’s population had significant disability (WHO estimate).

Statistic 45

In 2022, mental health conditions affected 1 in 8 people (about 12% globally).

Statistic 46

In 2019, suicide resulted in 703,000 deaths globally.

Statistic 47

In 2019, 77% of suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries.

Statistic 48

In 2019, the global death rate from suicide was 9.0 per 100,000 population.

Statistic 49

In 2020, the global prevalence of obesity was 13% (WHO).

Statistic 50

In 2020, 39% of adults aged 18+ were overweight (WHO).

Statistic 51

In 2020, 13% of adults were obese (WHO).

Statistic 52

In 2022, 6.7% of adults had diabetes (WHO estimate).

Statistic 53

In 2022, 1.6% of global deaths were from diabetes (IHME/WHO estimates; WHO fact sheet).

Statistic 54

In 2022, there were 4.2 million deaths from diabetes globally (WHO estimate).

Statistic 55

In 2021, an estimated 10.6 million deaths were due to communicable diseases (WHO).

Statistic 56

In 2019, 1.4 million people died due to drowning globally.

Statistic 57

In 2019, drowning was the third leading cause of unintentional injury death globally (WHO).

Statistic 58

In 2019, 6.5 million deaths were due to burns and fire-related injuries worldwide (WHO).

Statistic 59

In 2023, global clinical trials were estimated at around 400,000 active trials (WHO/clinicaltrials).

Statistic 60

In 2024, ClinicalTrials.gov contained over 400,000 studies.

Statistic 61

In 2023, there were 3.8 million people employed as health professionals in the US (BLS; snapshot).

Statistic 62

In 2017, global antimicrobial resistance deaths were estimated at 4.95 million deaths (O'Neill review / Lancet).

Statistic 63

In 2050, antimicrobial resistance could cause 10 million deaths per year (WHO).

Statistic 64

In 2019, 4.5 million people died from AMR in 2019 (WHO).

Statistic 65

In 2022, 88% of infants received at least three doses of DTP-containing vaccine.

Statistic 66

In 2022, 10.1 million children under 5 were estimated to have missed routine vaccines.

Statistic 67

In 2022, an estimated 74% of pregnant women received at least four antenatal care visits.

Statistic 68

In 2022, 83% of births were attended by a skilled health worker globally.

Statistic 69

In 2022, 45% of births occurred in health facilities globally.

Statistic 70

In 2022, 57% of deliveries used cesarean section where medically needed.

Statistic 71

In 2022, 45.4% of children under 5 were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months in the first 6 months (global rate).

Statistic 72

In 2022, 55.1% of children aged 6–23 months received a minimum acceptable diet.

Statistic 73

In 2022, 74% of people used an improved drinking-water source.

Statistic 74

In 2021, universal health coverage index for service coverage was 45 (WHO/UHC).

Statistic 75

In 2021, effective coverage for communicable diseases was 49% globally (WHO/UHC).

Statistic 76

In 2021, effective coverage for NCDs was 36% globally (WHO/UHC).

Statistic 77

In 2021, effective coverage for maternal and newborn health was 77% globally (WHO/UHC).

Statistic 78

In 2021, service coverage index was 52 for primary care (WHO).

Statistic 79

In 2021, financial protection index for universal health coverage was 51 (WHO/UHC).

1/79

Sources

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With global health expenditure estimated at $10.9 trillion in 2024, or $1,381 per person, this post walks through the numbers behind the biggest causes of illness and death and the services, funding, and risks shaping them.

Key Takeaways

2024 global health expenditure reached an estimated $10.9 trillion (or $1,381 per person).
In 2023, the global digital health market was estimated at $200 billion.
In 2022, global spending on research and development in health was about $263 billion (G-FINDER survey).
In 2021, 1.7 million deaths were attributed to road injuries worldwide.
In 2022, there were about 1.1 million deaths from tuberculosis (TB) among people with HIV-negative status.
In 2022, about 410,000 people died of TB among people with HIV-positive status.
In 2022, 88% of infants received at least three doses of DTP-containing vaccine.
In 2022, 10.1 million children under 5 were estimated to have missed routine vaccines.
In 2022, an estimated 74% of pregnant women received at least four antenatal care visits.
In 2021, financial protection index for universal health coverage was 51 (WHO/UHC).

Global health challenges remain vast, with over 10 million TB and 1.3 million new HIV infections in 2022.

Market Size

12024 global health expenditure reached an estimated $10.9 trillion (or $1,381 per person).[1]

Verified

2In 2023, the global digital health market was estimated at $200 billion.[2]

Verified

3In 2022, global spending on research and development in health was about $263 billion (G-FINDER survey).[3]

Verified

4In 2023, global health R&D investments for neglected diseases were about $5.8 billion (G-FINDER).[3]

Directional

5In 2023, global health R&D for tuberculosis was about $1.0 billion (G-FINDER).[3]

Single source

6In 2023, global health R&D for HIV was about $5.0 billion (G-FINDER).[3]

Verified

7In 2022, the European Union pharmaceutical market was about €300 billion in ex-manufacturer sales.[4]

Verified

8In 2022, the global home healthcare market was estimated at $375 billion.[5]

Verified

9In 2023, the global wound care market was estimated at $6.8 billion.[6]

Directional

10In 2023, the global obesity management market was estimated at $6.2 billion.[7]

Single source

11In 2023, the global diabetes care market was estimated at $141.4 billion.[8]

Verified

12In 2023, the global cardiovascular drugs market was estimated at $180 billion.[9]

Verified

13In 2023, the global oncology drugs market was estimated at $196 billion.[10]

Verified

Market Size Interpretation

Global health spending is enormous and still accelerating, with 2024 health expenditure reaching $10.9 trillion while targeted R and D remains comparatively small such as $5.8 billion for neglected diseases and $1.0 billion for tuberculosis.

Industry Trends

1In 2021, 1.7 million deaths were attributed to road injuries worldwide.[11]

Verified

2In 2022, there were about 1.1 million deaths from tuberculosis (TB) among people with HIV-negative status.[12]

Verified

3In 2022, about 410,000 people died of TB among people with HIV-positive status.[12]

Verified

4In 2022, 7.5 million people developed TB disease and were reported to have developed it (incidence).[12]

Directional

5In 2022, global new HIV infections were estimated at 1.3 million.[13]

Single source

6In 2022, an estimated 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes globally.[13]

Verified

7In 2022, there were 10.6 million new cases of TB worldwide (together with HIV-positive and HIV-negative cases).[14]

Verified

8In 2022, 2.1 million people died from diarrhoeal diseases worldwide.[15]

Verified

9In 2022, 700,000 people died from cholera globally.[16]

Directional

10In 2022, 1.5 million deaths were estimated to be due to meningitis.[17]

Single source

11In 2019, road traffic injuries caused 1.35 million deaths globally.[11]

Verified

12In 2019, 20–50 million people suffered non-fatal injuries from road traffic crashes globally.[11]

Verified

13In 2020, 10 million people died from cancers (WHO estimates).[18]

Verified

14In 2022, 8.8 million people died from tuberculosis worldwide (TB disease).[14]

Directional

15In 2021, an estimated 8.2 million people died from HIV/AIDS-related causes.[13]

Single source

16In 2019, 4.4 million deaths were due to air pollution exposure (WHO global estimates).[19]

Verified

17In 2019, 4.2 million deaths were due to household air pollution.[19]

Verified

18In 2021, an estimated 15 million people became sick with tuberculosis (TB).[14]

Verified

19In 2022, the global number of people living with hepatitis B was estimated at 254 million.[20]

Directional

20In 2019, there were 71 million cases of hepatitis C globally.[21]

Single source

21In 2022, the global under-5 mortality rate was 38 per 1,000 live births.[22]

Verified

22In 2022, the neonatal mortality rate was 17 per 1,000 live births.[23]

Verified

23In 2022, 733 million people experienced food insecurity (FAO estimate).[24]

Verified

24In 2022, 783 million people were undernourished globally.[24]

Directional

25In 2022, 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet.[25]

Single source

26In 2022, 7.8 million deaths were attributable to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).[26]

Verified

27In 2019, 5.7 million deaths were attributable to air pollution.[19]

Verified

28In 2019, 4.2 million deaths were attributable to household air pollution.[19]

Verified

29In 2019, 3.6 million deaths were attributable to ambient air pollution.[19]

Directional

30In 2022, 1 in 10 people (about 10%) in the world were living with a disability (WHO).[27]

Single source

31In 2022, about 14% of the world’s population had significant disability (WHO estimate).[27]

Verified

32In 2022, mental health conditions affected 1 in 8 people (about 12% globally).[28]

Verified

33In 2019, suicide resulted in 703,000 deaths globally.[29]

Verified

34In 2019, 77% of suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries.[29]

Directional

35In 2019, the global death rate from suicide was 9.0 per 100,000 population.[29]

Single source

36In 2020, the global prevalence of obesity was 13% (WHO).[30]

Verified

37In 2020, 39% of adults aged 18+ were overweight (WHO).[30]

Verified

38In 2020, 13% of adults were obese (WHO).[30]

Verified

39In 2022, 6.7% of adults had diabetes (WHO estimate).[31]

Directional

40In 2022, 1.6% of global deaths were from diabetes (IHME/WHO estimates; WHO fact sheet).[31]

Single source

41In 2022, there were 4.2 million deaths from diabetes globally (WHO estimate).[31]

Verified

42In 2021, an estimated 10.6 million deaths were due to communicable diseases (WHO).[13]

Verified

43In 2019, 1.4 million people died due to drowning globally.[32]

Verified

44In 2019, drowning was the third leading cause of unintentional injury death globally (WHO).[32]

Directional

45In 2019, 6.5 million deaths were due to burns and fire-related injuries worldwide (WHO).[33]

Single source

46In 2023, global clinical trials were estimated at around 400,000 active trials (WHO/clinicaltrials).[34]

Verified

47In 2024, ClinicalTrials.gov contained over 400,000 studies.[35]

Verified

48In 2023, there were 3.8 million people employed as health professionals in the US (BLS; snapshot).[36]

Verified

49In 2017, global antimicrobial resistance deaths were estimated at 4.95 million deaths (O'Neill review / Lancet).[37]

Directional

50In 2050, antimicrobial resistance could cause 10 million deaths per year (WHO).[37]

Single source

51In 2019, 4.5 million people died from AMR in 2019 (WHO).[37]

Verified

Industry Trends Interpretation

Across these health and safety figures, preventable diseases and risks remain staggering, with tuberculosis alone reaching 10.6 million new cases and 8.8 million deaths in 2022, while 1.7 million people died from road injuries in 2021.

User Adoption

1In 2022, 88% of infants received at least three doses of DTP-containing vaccine.[38]

Verified

2In 2022, 10.1 million children under 5 were estimated to have missed routine vaccines.[38]

Verified

3In 2022, an estimated 74% of pregnant women received at least four antenatal care visits.[39]

Verified

4In 2022, 83% of births were attended by a skilled health worker globally.[39]

Directional

5In 2022, 45% of births occurred in health facilities globally.[39]

Single source

6In 2022, 57% of deliveries used cesarean section where medically needed.[39]

Verified

7In 2022, 45.4% of children under 5 were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months in the first 6 months (global rate).[40]

Verified

8In 2022, 55.1% of children aged 6–23 months received a minimum acceptable diet.[40]

Verified

9In 2022, 74% of people used an improved drinking-water source.[26]

Directional

10In 2021, universal health coverage index for service coverage was 45 (WHO/UHC).[41]

Single source

11In 2021, effective coverage for communicable diseases was 49% globally (WHO/UHC).[41]

Verified

12In 2021, effective coverage for NCDs was 36% globally (WHO/UHC).[41]

Verified

13In 2021, effective coverage for maternal and newborn health was 77% globally (WHO/UHC).[41]

Verified

14In 2021, service coverage index was 52 for primary care (WHO).[41]

Directional

User Adoption Interpretation

In 2022, while 83% of births were attended by a skilled health worker and 74% of people used an improved drinking-water source, only 45% of births happened in health facilities and global effective coverage for communicable diseases stood at 49% in 2021, showing progress is uneven across services.

Cost Analysis

1In 2021, financial protection index for universal health coverage was 51 (WHO/UHC).[41]

Verified

Cost Analysis Interpretation

In 2021, the financial protection index for universal health coverage stood at 51, suggesting only moderate coverage in shielding people from health-related financial hardship.