Middle-Income Countries Saw Highest Rise in Antibiotics Use from 2016-23, Study Finds

A recent study on global antibiotic consumption has revealed a significant rise of over 16% in global antibiotic use from 2016 to 2023, with middle-income countries, including India, witnessing the largest surge.
The study, which analyzed antibiotic sales data from 67 countries, found that before the COVID-19 pandemic, middle-income nations saw an increase in antibiotic consumption by nearly 10% from 2016 to 2019. In contrast, high-income countries experienced a decline in usage by about 6% during the same period.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a sharp decrease in antibiotic use globally, with high-income nations seeing a drop of up to 18%. However, in 2021, middle-income countries rebounded quickly, marking a notable surge in antibiotic consumption, according to researchers, including those from Harvard University’s School of Public Health.
The findings underscore the growing concern regarding antibiotic overuse, particularly in middle-income countries, which could have long-term implications for antibiotic resistance.