Malaria Statistics and Fatalaties

It has been estimated that in the year 2010 nearly 210 million people were infected with malaria.(1.)   To put that number in perspective, that's equivalent to nearly two thirds the population of the United States.(2.)  It has also been estimated that malaria kills around 600,000 people annually.  Of the 600,000 fatalities that occur each year, it is estimated that nearly 95% of the victims are innocent children under the age of 5(2.).  Nearly 90% of the reported cases are found on the African continent.(3.)

This Inforgraphic shows the distribution of Malaria across the globe. Source: World Health Organization

Economic Impact of Malaria: 
Due to the devastation caused by malaria, many tropical nations face setbacks in their economic growth.  Malaria has acted to keep many in the work force either too sick to go to work, and or too afraid to go to work(in fear of catching the disease).  In an economic study performed from 1965-1990, it was shown that countries highly effected by malaria had a GDP per capita that grew at a rate 1.3% slower than countries that weren't highly effected(4.).  The study also showed that for every 10% reduction in reported malaria cases, led to 0.3% more economic growth.  An estimated 12 billion dollars a year of potential economic productivity is lost on the African continent(3.).

To read the full summary, visit this link:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2624/

A map showing the spread of malaria.

A map showing the GDP per capita of the nations of the world.  Notice the low GDP for countries suffering from malaria.

For more information on the adverse effects of malaria on economic growth, you can check out the link below 

http://ftp.iza.org/dp2997.pdf


Climate Change and Malaria:
With the changing climate of our present world, many infectious diseases will be expanding their range into new territory.  Malaria is a disease that will benefit from a warmer world.  Mosquitos require an environment with a warm ambient temperature for proper growth and proliferation(5.).  As more areas become livable for mosquitos for more parts of the year, the risk of malaria infection will inevitably go up as well.

An Infographic showing how increasing temperatures will push the range of malaria to higher latitudes and altitudes.  

(1.) http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do/Global-Health/Malaria

(2.) http://www.census.gov/popclock/

(3.)  https://www.malarianomore.org/pages/the-challenge

(4.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2624/

(5.) http://time.com/14553/climate-change-expand-malaria/