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2.3 TB treatment: coverage and outcomes

To minimize the ill health and mortality caused by tuberculosis (TB), everyone who develops TB disease needs to be able to promptly access diagnosis and treatment.

At the second United Nations (UN) high-level meeting on TB in 2023, Member States adopted a target that, by 2027, at least 90% of the estimated number of people who develop TB disease should be provided with quality-assured diagnosis and treatment (1).

There are still large gaps between the estimated number of people who develop TB each year (incident cases; see Section 1.1 for further details) and the number of people newly diagnosed with TB and officially reported as a TB case (Fig. 2.3.1 below). This reflects a mixture of (i) underdiagnosis and (ii) underreporting of people diagnosed with TB to national authorities.

Globally in 2025, the number of people who were newly diagnosed with TB and officially notified as a TB case (8.38 million) was 79% (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 74–86%) of the estimated 10.56 million (95% UI: 9.8–11.4 million) incident cases. Since 2010, the gap between estimated incidence and case notifications has generally narrowed year on year; the exception was 2020, when it widened substantially (to a best estimate of 4.5 million) amid disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The best estimate of the gap in 2025 was 2.2 million, a slight reduction from 2.3 million in 2024.

Fig. 2.3.1 Number of people newly diagnosed with TB and officially notified as a TB case (new and recurrent cases,a all forms) (black) compared with the estimated number of people who developed TB (incident cases) (green), 2010–2025, globally and for WHO regions

a The term “relapse” was replaced with “recurrent” in WHO guidance on TB surveillance published in 2024 (2).


Gaps between estimated incidence and the number of people newly diagnosed with TB and officially notified as a TB case have also been narrowing in most WHO regions (Fig. 2.3.1 above) and high TB burden countries (Fig. 2.3.2 below) since 2010. Among WHO regions, the main exception is the Region of the Americas, where the gap between estimated incidence and case notification was wider in 2025 than it was in 2010.

Fig. 2.3.2 Number of people newly diagnosed with TB and officially notified as a TB case (new and recurrent cases,a all forms) (black) compared with the estimated number of people who developed TB (incident cases) (green), 30 high TB burden countries,b 2010–2025

The shaded area represents the 95% uncertainty interval.
a The term “relapse” was replaced with “recurrent” in WHO guidance on TB surveillance published in 2024 (2).
b Incidence estimates are not shown for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and India because they are under review. For India, see Annex 4 of the core report document.


In comparing estimates of TB incidence with case notification data, it is important to highlight that notification data may be artificially inflated by overdiagnosis of TB, particularly if a large proportion of people were diagnosed without bacteriological confirmation of disease. For example, the proportion of notified cases diagnosed based on bacteriological confirmation in 2025 was less than 50% in Papua New Guinea (38%) and the Philippines (49%) (Fig. 2.2.8 of Section 2.2). People who were correctly diagnosed with TB may also be missing from notification data, due to underreporting. In some countries, estimates of TB incidence would benefit from new studies (such as a national TB prevalence survey or national TB inventory study) to directly measure the underlying burden of TB disease in the population. For example, the main data sources used to inform the current estimates of TB incidence in Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia are national TB prevalence surveys that were implemented in 2015, 2012, 2014–2015 and 2013–2014, respectively (Section 1.4).


In 2025, 10 countries accounted for about 60% of the global gap between the estimated number of people who developed TB (incident TB cases) and the number of people who were diagnosed with TB and officially reported as a TB case (Fig. 2.3.3). About 40% of the global gap was accounted for by 5 countries: Indonesia (9.7%), Pakistan (8.9%), the Philippines (8.4%), China (7.5%) and Myanmar (6.6%).

Fig. 2.3.3 The 10 countries with the largest gaps between notifications of people newly diagnosed with TB and the best estimates of TB incidence, 2025a

Fig. 2.3.3 The ten countries with the largest gaps between notifications of people newly diagnosed with TB and the best estimates of TB incidence, 2025

 

a The 10 countries ranked in order of the size of the gap between notified cases and the best estimates of TB incidence in 2025 are Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, China, Myanmar, India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Viet Nam. Incidence estimates for India are under review; see Annex 4 of the core report document.


Among people living with HIV who develop TB, both TB treatment and antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV are necessary to prevent unnecessary deaths from TB and HIV. In 2025, the global coverage of ART for people newly diagnosed and reported with TB and known to be living with HIV (the blue curve compared with the black curve) was 87%. This was a reduction from 91% in 2024 and slightly lower than the level of 88% that was achieved in 2023 (Fig. 2.3.4 below). It is possible that a reduction in international donor funding for HIV in 2025 (Section 4.1) affected the provision of ART to people with TB.

Compared with the total number of people living with HIV who are estimated to have developed TB in 2025 (the red curve), coverage was only 59%, a reduction from 61% in 2024 and 60% in 2023. Among WHO regions, the highest level of ART coverage among people living with HIV who developed TB in 2025 was achieved in the South-East Asia Region (a best estimate of 66%); coverage was lowest in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (a best estimate of 32%).

Fig. 2.3.4 Estimated number of incident cases of TB among people living with HIV (red) compared with notifications of people newly diagnosed with TB who were known to be living with HIV (black) and the number of people living with HIV who were diagnosed with TB and started on ART (blue), globally and for WHO regions, 2010–2025


ART coverage estimates for people with TB are far below the overall coverage of ART for people living with HIV, which was 78% (95% UI: 59–94%) at the end of 2025 (3). The main reason for relatively low ART coverage for people with TB is the persistently large gap between the estimated number of people living with HIV who develop TB each year and the number of people living with HIV who are reported to have been diagnosed with TB.

At regional level, the biggest gaps in 2025 were in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific regions, where 58% and 42% respectively of the estimated number of people living with HIV who developed TB in 2025 were not diagnosed with TB and reported.


Among the 30 high TB/HIV burden countries, best estimates of the coverage of ART among people living with HIV who developed TB in 2025 varied widely, from 11% in Angola to 86% in Kenya; only 22 of these 30 countries achieved coverage of at least 50% (Fig. 2.3.5).

Fig. 2.3.5 Estimated coverage of ART for people living with HIV who developed TBa in 2025, 30 high TB/HIV burden countries, WHO regions and globally

a People living with HIV who were newly diagnosed with TB and on ART, as a percentage of the estimated number of incident TB cases among people living with HIV.
b Data on the number of people living with HIV who were newly diagnosed with TB and on ART were not reported by Malawi.


Globally, the treatment success rate for people treated for drug-susceptible TB with first-line regimens was 90% in 2024 (the latest year for which treatment outcome data are available), and ranged from 70% in the WHO Region of the Americas to 94% in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (Fig. 2.3.6).

Fig. 2.3.6 Treatment outcomes for people diagnosed with TB in 2024 who were treated for drug-susceptible TB using first-line regimens, WHO regions and globally


Globally, there have been steady improvements in the treatment success rate: from 81% in 2016 to 90% in 2024 (Fig. 2.3.7). The treatment success rate remains lower among people living with HIV, at 80% globally in 2024, but this is up from 75% in 2017 and far better than the level of 68% in 2012.

Fig. 2.3.7 Treatment outcomes for people diagnosed with TBa who were treated for drug-susceptible TB using first-line regimens, 2012–2024

a Data for years prior to 2024 are for new and recurrent cases only. The term “relapse” was replaced with “recurrent” in WHO guidance on TB surveillance published in 2024 (2).


Among WHO regions, the best treatment success rate among people living with HIV in 2024 was achieved in the African Region (84%), where the burden of HIV-associated TB is highest (Fig. 2.3.8).

Fig. 2.3.8 Treatment outcomes for people living with HIV who were diagnosed with TB who were treated for drug-susceptible TB using first-line regimens, WHO regions and globally, 2024

a The term “relapse” was replaced with “recurrent” in WHO guidance on TB surveillance published in 2024 (2).


In 2021–2025, data on treatment outcomes disaggregated by sex were collected from the 50 countries in one of the 3 global lists of high burden countries (for TB, HIV-associated TB and RR-TB) being used by WHO. In 2026, data were requested from all countries and areas, of which 119 reported treatment outcome data disaggregated by sex. The treatment success rate in women and girls was 91% in 2024, slightly higher than that among men and boys (88%) (Fig. 2.3.9).

Fig. 2.3.9 Treatment outcomes for people diagnosed with TBa who were treated for drug-susceptible TB using first-line regimens, disaggregated by sex for 119 countries and areas that reported data,b 2019–2024

a Data for years prior to 2024 are for new and recurrent cases only. The term “relapse” was replaced with “recurrent” in WHO guidance on TB surveillance published in 2024 (2).
b Between 2021 and 2025, WHO requested data on treatment outcomes disaggregated by sex from the 50 countries in one of the 3 lists of high burden countries (for TB, HIV-associated TB and RR-TB). In 2026, data were requested from all countries and areas, of which 119 reported data.


The treatment success rate for people aged 0–14 years was 94% in 2024 (Fig. 2.3.10). Among the 6 WHO regions, the best treatment success rate among people aged 0–14 years was achieved in the South-East Asia Region (96%).

Fig. 2.3.10 Treatment success rates for people aged 0–14 years who were diagnosed with TB, WHO regions and globallya, 2024

a Data on outcomes for 469 885 people aged 0–14 years in 119 countries were reported, equivalent to 68% of the 687 646 cases among people aged 0–14 years that were notified in 2024.


The provision of TB treatment, as well as the provision of ART to people living with HIV, has averted millions of deaths (Table 2.3.1).

Table 2.3.1 Cumulative number of deaths (in millions) averted by a) TB treatment as well as b) ART for people diagnosed with TB who were also living with HIV, globally and by WHO region, 2010–2025

HIV-negative people
People living with HIVᵃ
Total
WHO region Best estimate Uncertainty interval Best estimate Uncertainty interval Best estimate Uncertainty interval
African Region 7.1 5.9–8.3 5.4 4.6–6.2 12 11–14
Region of the Americas 1.6 1.5–1.8 0.28 0.26–0.31 1.9 1.8–2.0
South-East Asia Region 18 15–21 0.89 0.56–1.2 19 16–22
European Region 1.3 1.2–1.4 0.26 0.23–0.28 1.6 1.4–1.7
Eastern Mediterranean Region 4.4 3.9–5.0 0.057 0.025–0.089 4.5 3.9–5.0
Western Pacific Region 15 14–17 0.48 0.40–0.56 16 14–17
Global 48 43–53 7.3 6.4–8.3 55 50–61
a Deaths from TB among people with HIV are officially classified as deaths caused by HIV/AIDS (with TB as a contributory cause). This is the reason why the estimates make a clear distinction between people with and without HIV.


The combination of TB treatment and ART for people living with HIV is estimated to have averted 10 million deaths between 2005, the first year following the release of an interim WHO policy on collaborative TB/HIV activities in 2004 (4), and 2025.


The drug regimen for treatment of drug-susceptible TB that is most widely used is for 6 months. Since 2022, a shorter 4-month regimen consisting of isoniazid, rifapentine, moxifloxacin and pyrazinamide (HPMZ) has also been recommended by WHO for the treatment of rifampicin-susceptible TB (5). For people aged between 3 months and 16 years with non-severe TB, a 4-month regimen composed of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol (2HRZ(E)/2HR) has also been recommended since 2022 (5,6). To date, the 4-month regimens have not been widely used.

Globally in 2025, 8758 people diagnosed with TB were reported to have been treated with the 4-month HPMZ regimen, more than double the number of 4154 that was reported for 2024. A total of 16 countries reported using the regimen by the end of 2025: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Guam, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Mongolia, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic and Ukraine, up from 15 countries in 2024.

Globally in 2025, a total of 19 543 people were treated with the 2HRZ(E)/2HR regimen, a substantial increase from 4487 in 2024. A total of 38 countries and areas reported using the regimen by the end of 2025: Armenia, Australia, Burkina Faso, Chad, Colombia, the Congo, Cuba, Czechia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Guam, Hungary, Kenya, Mongolia, Montenegro, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, the Syrian Arab Republic, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Zambia and the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, up from 27 countries and areas in 2024 (Fig. 2.3.11).

Fig. 2.3.11 Countries that reported using 4-month regimens for treatment of rifampicin-susceptible TB by the end of 2025

 

Fig. 2.3.11 Countries that reported using 4-month regimens for treatment of rifampicin-susceptible TB by the end of 2025

 


Further country-specific details about the gap between TB incidence and notifications and treatment outcomes are available in the country profiles of the Global tuberculosis report app.

Data shown on this webpage are as of 25 August 2026 (see Annex 2 of the core report document for more details).

References

  1. Political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the fight against tuberculosis. New York: United Nations; 2023 (https://www.un.org/pga/77/wp-content/uploads/sites/105/2023/09/TB-Final-Text.pdf).

  2. Consolidated guidance on tuberculosis data generation and use: module 1: tuberculosis surveillance. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024 (https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376612). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

  3. Global HIV & AIDS statistics – fact sheet [website]. Geneva: UNAIDS; 2026 (https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet).

  4. Interim policy collaborative on TB/HIV activities. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2004 (https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/78705).

  5. WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, Module 4: Treatment and care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025 (https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/380799). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

  6. WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: Module 5: Management of tuberculosis in children and adolescents. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022 (https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/352522). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

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