WHO says billions saw health gains in 2025 despite funding cuts

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Despite significant funding cuts, the World Health Organization (WHO) was able to support significant national health gains for hundreds of millions of people in 2025, according to its annual Results Report released on Thursday.

“The Results Report 2025 shows that with support from WHO and partners, countries have delivered tangible benefits for millions of people,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “At the same time, these gains cannot be taken for granted.”

The report, released ahead of the World Health Assembly next month, finds progress on three fronts: expanding access to essential health services; strengthening protection from health emergencies; and improving overall wellbeing. 

Yet roughly half of its output targets went unmet, with financial pressures and internal restructuring taking a toll on delivery – and the world remains off track to meet the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. 

Billions reached but targets missed

Though WHO failed to reach it’s ‘Triple Billion’ goals, which aimed for one billion more people to benefit in each of the three fronts by the end of 2025 compared with 2018, there was nonetheless substantial progress.

An estimated 567 million additional people were covered by essential health services in 2025, up 136 million from 2024. 

Around 698 million more people were better protected from health emergencies, a rise of 61 million on the previous year. And, 1.75 billion additional people were living healthier lives, a jump of 300 million since 2024.

Progress toward universal health coverage was driven by expanded services for communicable diseases including HIV and tuberculosis, improved sanitation and a growing health workforce. Gaps remain, however, in diabetes management, measles surveillance and financial protection.

Emergency measures strengthened 

Gains in emergency preparedness were supported in part by the newly adopted Pandemic Agreement and revised International Health Regulations. 

WHO responded to 66 emergencies across 88 countries in 2025, including delivering 33 million medical consultations through health partners in Gaza. 

Other areas, including disease detection, emergency response and polio eradication, remain more challenging, reflecting constraints in country capacity, financing and operations.

Meanwhile, WHO also strengthened emergency mental health and psychosocial support systems, increasing country coverage from 28 per cent to 48 per cent. 

HPV vaccine coverage climbed from 17 per cent in 2019 to 31 per cent in 2024 through simplified single-dose schedules. A new global air pollution roadmap targets a 50 per cent cut in related deaths by 2040.

Funding squeeze threatens hard-won gains

However, reduced staffing capacity, limited technical support and slower programme implementation were among the immediate consequences. 

A large share of WHO’s budget also remains earmarked for specific thematic areas, limiting strategic flexibility.

The findings will be presented by Tedros at the 79th World Health Assembly, running from 18 to 23 May 2026 in Geneva.

“Protecting and expanding [these gains] will require sustained support and investment, so that together we can continue advancing the vision set out in WHO’s Constitution: the highest attainable standard of health as a right for all,” Tedros said.