One in six bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics globally: WHO report

A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed a growing global threat from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, noting that one in six bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 were resistant to available antibiotic treatments.

The ‘Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025’ highlights alarming trends, particularly in infections of the urinary tract and bloodstream, where resistance levels were found to be the highest. In contrast, bacteria responsible for gastrointestinal and urogenital gonorrhoeal infections showed relatively lower resistance rates.

According to the report, the WHO South-East Asia Region, which includes India, along with the Eastern Mediterranean Region, recorded the highest resistance levels — nearly one in three infections. The African Region followed, with about one in five infections resistant to antibiotics, all exceeding the global average.

WHO experts cautioned that antibiotic resistance continues to pose a major global health and development threat, undermining the ability to treat common infections and perform medical procedures safely.

“Antibiotic resistance is eroding decades of medical progress. Without urgent action to strengthen surveillance, regulate antibiotic use, and invest in new treatments, millions could be left vulnerable to untreatable infections,” the report warned.

The report calls for enhanced monitoring, responsible antibiotic use, and greater global cooperation to prevent resistance from spreading further, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to quality healthcare and diagnostics remains limited.