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WHO report links COVID-19 to 22.1 million excess deaths globally (2020–2023) with broader health findings
The WHO says COVID-19 contributed an estimated 22.1 million excess deaths globally between 2020 and 2023, far exceeding official COVID-19 death counts. The World Health Statistics report also notes progress in areas such as HIV reductions and access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and clean cooking, while warning of data gaps and uneven health gains.
Why It Matters
The report underscores the pandemic’s broader mortality impact, persistent health inequities, and critical gaps in health data, informing calls for stronger primary health care and sustainable health financing.
Timeline
19 Events
Publication date of the article
May 14, 2026
The article reporting these findings was published on May 14, 2026 at 03:09 pm IST.
South-East Asia Region malaria milestone: on track for 2025
2025
The South-East Asia Region was on track to meet its 2025 milestone for malaria reduction.
Data gaps: End-2025 reporting and ICD data gaps
2025
As of the end of 2025, only 18% of countries reported mortality data to the WHO within one year, and nearly one-third had never reported cause-of-death data.
Overweight children under five at 5.5% (2024)
2024
The prevalence of overweight children under the age of five reached 5.5% in 2024.
Anemia among women of reproductive age (30.7%) with no decade-long improvement
2024
Anaemia affects 30.7% of women of reproductive age, with no improvement recorded over the past decade.
61 million deaths in 2023 with limited cause-of-death data
2023
Of the estimated 61 million deaths globally in 2023, only about one-third were reported with cause-of-death information, and only about one-fifth had ICD-coded data.
Out-of-pocket health expenditure led to poverty (2022)
2022
1.6 billion people were living in or pushed into poverty due to out-of-pocket health expenditure in 2022.
Air pollution caused 6.6 million deaths (2021)
2021
Air pollution contributed to an estimated 6.6 million deaths worldwide in 2021.
COVID-19 linked to 22.1 million excess deaths (2020–2023)
2020
The pandemic is linked to an estimated 22.1 million excess deaths between 2020 and 2023, including indirect deaths.
Inadequate WASH contributed to 1.4 million deaths in 2019
2019
In 2019, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene contributed to 1.4 million deaths.
UHC service coverage index progress (2015–2023)
2015
The global UHC service coverage index rose slowly from 68 to 71 between 2015 and 2023.
Malaria incidence up 8.5% since 2015
2015
Malaria incidence increased by 8.5% since 2015, moving the world further from global targets.
1.4 billion gained access to clean cooking solutions (2015–2024)
2015
Between 2015 and 2024, 1.4 billion people gained access to clean cooking solutions.
1.6 billion gained access to basic hygiene (2015–2024)
2015
Between 2015 and 2024, 1.6 billion people gained access to basic hygiene.
1.2 billion gained access to sanitation (2015–2024)
2015
Between 2015 and 2024, 1.2 billion people gained access to sanitation.
961 million people gained access to safely managed drinking water (2015–2024)
2015
Between 2015 and 2024, 961 million people gained access to safely managed drinking water.
Tobacco and alcohol use declines (2010–2024)
2010
The report notes declines in tobacco use and alcohol consumption between 2010 and 2024.
New HIV infections down 40% (2010–2024) globally
2010
New HIV infections fell by 40% between 2010 and 2024, according to the WHO World Health Statistics report.
Global maternal mortality declines since 2000
2000
Global maternal mortality has fallen by 40% since 2000, but remains nearly three times higher than the 2030 target.