In 2021, ischemic heart disease and COVID-19 were the leading causes of death worldwide, reaching around 114 and 110 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively. This statistic shows the rates of the 10 leading causes of death around the world in 2021.

Rank, number of deaths, percentage of deaths, and age-specific mortality rates for the leading causes of death, by age group and sex, 2000 to most recent year.

This statistic shows the 20 countries* with the highest infant mortality rate in 2024. An estimated 101.3 infants per 1,000 live births died in the first year of life in Afghanistan in 2024. Infant and child mortality Infant mortality usually refers to the death of children younger than one year. Child mortality, which is often used synonymously with infant mortality, is the death of children younger than five. Among the main causes are pneumonia, diarrhea – which causes dehydration – and infections in newborns, with malnutrition also posing a severe problem. As can be seen above, most countries with a high infant mortality rate are developing countries or emerging countries, most of which are located in Africa. Good health care and hygiene are crucial in reducing child mortality; among the countries with the lowest infant mortality rate are exclusively developed countries, whose inhabitants usually have access to clean water and comprehensive health care. Access to vaccinations, antibiotics and a balanced nutrition also help reducing child mortality in these regions. In some countries, infants are killed if they turn out to be of a certain gender. India, for example, is known as a country where a lot of girls are aborted or killed right after birth, as they are considered to be too expensive for poorer families, who traditionally have to pay a costly dowry on the girl’s wedding day. Interestingly, the global mortality rate among boys is higher than that for girls, which could be due to the fact that more male infants are actually born than female ones. Other theories include a stronger immune system in girls, or more premature births among boys.

Historical chart and dataset showing World death rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

The global landscape of mortality has undergone significant changes from 1990 to 2021, but cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2021, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 28.6 percent of all deaths, followed by cancers at 14.6 percent. Notably, COVID-19 emerged as the third leading cause of death in 2021, responsible for 11.6 percent of global fatalities. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic The emergence of COVID-19 as a major cause of death underscores the profound impact of the pandemic on global health. By May 2023, the virus had infected over 687 million people worldwide and claimed nearly 6.87 million lives. The United States, India, and Brazil were among the most severely affected countries. The pandemic's effects extended beyond direct mortality, influencing healthcare systems and potentially exacerbating other health conditions. Shifts in global health priorities While infectious diseases like COVID-19 have gained prominence, long-term health trends reveal significant progress in certain areas. The proportion of neonatal deaths decreased from 6.4 percent in 1990 to 2.7 percent in 2021, reflecting improvements in maternal and child health care. However, challenges persist in addressing malnutrition and hunger, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The Global Hunger Index 2024 identified Somalia, Yemen, and Chad as the countries most affected by hunger and malnutrition, highlighting the ongoing need for targeted interventions in these regions.

This dataset contains counts of deaths for California counties based on information entered on death certificates. Final counts are derived from static data and include out-of-state deaths to California residents, whereas provisional counts are derived from incomplete and dynamic data. Provisional counts are based on the records available when the data was retrieved and may not represent all deaths that occurred during the time period. Deaths involving injuries from external or environmental forces, such as accidents, homicide and suicide, often require additional investigation that tends to delay certification of the cause and manner of death. This can result in significant under-reporting of these deaths in provisional data.

The final data tables include both deaths that occurred in each California county regardless of the place of residence (by occurrence) and deaths to residents of each California county (by residence), whereas the provisional data table only includes deaths that occurred in each county regardless of the place of residence (by occurrence). The data are reported as totals, as well as stratified by age, gender, race-ethnicity, and death place type. Deaths due to all causes (ALL) and selected underlying cause of death categories are provided. See temporal coverage for more information on which combinations are available for which years.

The cause of death categories are based solely on the underlying cause of death as coded by the International Classification of Diseases. The underlying cause of death is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "the disease or injury which initiated the train of events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury." It is a single value assigned to each death based on the details as entered on the death certificate. When more than one cause is listed, the order in which they are listed can affect which cause is coded as the underlying cause. This means that similar events could be coded with different underlying causes of death depending on variations in how they were entered. Consequently, while underlying cause of death provides a convenient comparison between cause of death categories, it may not capture the full impact of each cause of death as it does not always take into account all conditions contributing to the death.

As of 2023, the countries with the highest death rates worldwide were Monaco, Bulgaria, and Latvia. In these countries, there were ** to ** deaths per 1,000 people. The country with the lowest death rate is Qatar, where there is just *** death per 1,000 people. Leading causes of death The leading causes of death worldwide are, by far, cardiovascular diseases, accounting for ** percent of all deaths in 2021. That year, there were **** million deaths worldwide from ischaemic heart disease and **** million from stroke. Interestingly, a worldwide survey from that year found that people greatly underestimate the proportion of deaths caused by cardiovascular disease, but overestimate the proportion of deaths caused by suicide, interpersonal violence, and substance use disorders. Death in the United States In 2023, there were around **** million deaths in the United States. The leading causes of death in the United States are currently heart disease and cancer, accounting for a combined ** percent of all deaths in 2023. Lung and bronchus cancer is the deadliest form of cancer worldwide, as well as in the United States. In the U.S. this form of cancer is predicted to cause around ****** deaths among men alone in the year 2025. Prostate cancer is the second-deadliest cancer for men in the U.S. while breast cancer is the second deadliest for women. In 2023, the tenth leading cause of death in the United States was COVID-19. Deaths due to COVID-19 resulted in a significant rise in the total number of deaths in the U.S. in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019, and it was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. during those years.

In 2019, the leading causes of death globally included ischemic heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There were **** million deaths from ischemic heart disease at that time and about **** million deaths caused by stroke. In recent history, increases in life expectancy, increases in population and better standards of living have changed the leading causes of death over time. Non-Communicable Disease Deaths The number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases has remained relatively stable in recent years. A large majority of non-communicable or chronic disease deaths globally are caused by cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancer. Various lifestyle choices cause or exacerbate many of these chronic diseases. Drinking, smoking and lack of exercise can contribute to higher rates of non-communicable diseases and early death. It is estimated that the relative risk of death before the age of 65 was ** times greater among those that smoked and never quit. Infectious Disease Deaths Trends indicate that the number of deaths due to infectious diseases have decreased in recent years. However, infectious diseases still disproportionately impact low- and middle-income countries. In 2021, tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS were still among the leading causes of death in low-income countries. However, the leading causes of death in upper income countries are almost exclusively non-communicable, chronic conditions.

India death rate for 2025 is 7.53, a 0.76% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>India death rate for 2024 was <strong>7.47</strong>, a <strong>0.77% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>India death rate for 2023 was <strong>7.42</strong>, a <strong>0.49% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>India death rate for 2022 was <strong>7.38</strong>, a <strong>0.49% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Crude death rate indicates the number of deaths occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear. Subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate provides the rate of natural increase, which is equal to the rate of population change in the absence of migration.

In 2023, there were approximately 750.5 deaths by all causes per 100,000 inhabitants in the United States. This statistic shows the death rate for all causes in the United States between 1950 and 2023. Causes of death in the U.S. Over the past decades, chronic conditions and non-communicable diseases have come to the forefront of health concerns and have contributed to major causes of death all over the globe. In 2022, the leading cause of death in the U.S. was heart disease, followed by cancer. However, the death rates for both heart disease and cancer have decreased in the U.S. over the past two decades. On the other hand, the number of deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease – which is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease- has increased by almost 141 percent between 2000 and 2021. Risk and lifestyle factors Lifestyle factors play a major role in cardiovascular health and the development of various diseases and conditions. Modifiable lifestyle factors that are known to reduce risk of both cancer and cardiovascular disease among people of all ages include smoking cessation, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. An estimated two million new cases of cancer in the U.S. are expected in 2025.

BackgroundPrevious estimates of congenital heart disease (CHD) have been constrained by limited data sources, narrow geographic focus, and a lack of specific assessment of infants younger than 1 year. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021, this research provides comprehensive estimates of mortality, prevalence, and disability attributable to CHD in infants under 1 year. The study encompasses data from 204 countries and territories, covering the period from 1990 to 2021.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis utilized data from the 2021 GBD study, encompassing 204 countries and territories. The study focused on infants under 1 year of age with CHD. The GBD dataset was accessed on June 10, 2024.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcomes included prevalence, all-cause, and cause-specific mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and the corresponding estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs). Trends were stratified by region, country, age, and Sociodemographic Index (SDI).ResultsIn 2021, CHD resulted in 250,811.32 deaths globally [95% uncertainty interval (UI), 207,821.56–304,084.49], representing a 52.58% decrease from 1990. Among these, 167,985.02 deaths (95% UI, 138,221.77–208,321.59) occurred in infants younger than 1 year. In infants under 1 year old, the 1990 mortality rate for CHD ranked behind neonatal encephalopathy due to birth asphyxia and trauma, diarrheal diseases, neonatal preterm birth, and lower respiratory infections. By 2021, its mortality rates had decreased to the eighth leading cause of death.InterpretationCHD remains a significant and rapidly escalating global challenge in child health. While it is difficult to significantly reduce the prevalence of CHD, especially in complex cases, advances in prenatal diagnosis and the availability of medical termination of pregnancy in certain regions have led to demographic changes. Additionally, birth rates, typically lower in high-SDI countries, also influence the prevalence of CHD. Given these factors, the focus should be on improving survival outcomes and quality of life for affected infants. Our findings reveal substantial global disparities in prevalence among infants under 1 year, emphasizing the need for policy reforms that address screening, treatment, and data collection to mitigate these disparities.

Preliminary figures between January to September 2024 indicated that ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the Philippines. The number of people who died from this illness was estimated at 75,500. Following this, cancer resulted in the deaths of about 43,000 people. Eating habits Heart diseases have been linked to high meat consumption, among others. In the Philippines, pork has been the most consumed meat type, followed closely by chicken. While pork meat is typically produced domestically, the country also imports pork to supplement its supply. However, plant-based food has started gaining popularity among Filipinos. In fact, a 2024 survey revealed that 69 percent of surveyed Filipinos consumed plant-based products, including meat alternatives. Common diseases in the Philippines Aside from heart and cerebrovascular diseases, the Filipino population is also exposed to infections, diabetes, skin diseases, and illnesses resulting from high meat consumption. In 2020, over 700,000 Filipinos contracted acute respiratory tract infections, followed by over 400,000 diagnosed with hypertension. In areas with high exposure to rain, dengue infections and leptospirosis have also become prevalent.

In 2021, COVID-19 caused about *** deaths per 100,000 population in high-income countries. This statistic displays the leading causes of death in high-income countries in 2021 by deaths per 100,000 population. Mortality from chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases are increasing around the world. Chronic deaths are especially prominent in Western countries, but have also recently began to increase in the developing world. Non-communicable disease burden This increase in chronic and degenerative non-communicable diseases globally stems from aging populations, modernization, and rapid urbanization. Though these are all signs of socioeconomic progress, the resulting shift in disease carries a heavy burden for societies. Health expenditure makes up around ** percent or more of the GDP in most high-income countries, and the global spending on medicines is expected to more than double from 2010 to 2027. Non-communicable disease risk factors and prevention In most OECD countries, over 30 percent of adults are overweight. Lack of exercise, poor nutrition, and generally unhealthy lifestyles can often lead to a cluster of symptoms including abnormal blood levels, high blood pressure, and excess body fat, which in turn pose an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. However, most non-communicable diseases are preventable, and their modifiable risk factors can be lowered through lifestyle and behavioral changes.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Liver Cirrhosis Market size will be XX million by 2033, whereas its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) will be XX% from 2025 to 2033. • North America held the largest share of the global Liver Cirrhosis market around XX% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX% from 2025 to 2033. • Europe accounted for a share of over XX% of the global market size of USD XX million. • Asia Pacific held a market share of around XX% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX% from 2025 to 2033. • The Latin American market is around XX% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX% from 2025 to 2033. • Middle East and Africa held the major market of around XX% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX% from 2025 to 2033.

Market Dynamics of the Liver Cirrhosis Market

Key Drivers of the Liver Cirrhosis Market

Increased incidence of liver disease significantly boosts the market

Globally, liver disease is still exceedingly prevalent. A sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, and particularly poor food are the main causes of liver disease in many people. As the population ages, autoimmune disorders including hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver are becoming more common. The notable rise in instances can also be attributed to alcohol intake above. The global market for liver disease treatment will be driven by the rising availability of medicines. • For instance, as per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), liver disease claims about 2 million deaths globally, every year. Currently, Cirrhosis is the 11th most common cause of death. (Source:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36990226/)

The increasing geriatric population will expand the liver cirrhosis drugs market.

Globally, the aging population is a challenge, and countries are dealing with several issues, such as providing long-term care for those who have a high prevalence of chronic illnesses, such as liver disorders. Maintaining hepatic function, daily living activities, and the quality of life for individuals with liver disease all depend on the management of cirrhosis and hepatitis. The aging-related characteristics must be taken into account while choosing treatment methods and the appropriate dose of currently available medications, even though a wide range of therapeutic choices, including freshly created drugs and procedures, are accessible. • For instance, by 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. At this time the share of the population aged 60 years and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. (Source:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health)

Targeted therapies and personalized medicine drive the growth of liver cirrhosis market

Targeted therapies and personalized medicine offer a more precise approach to treating liver cirrhosis, moving beyond one-size-fits-all treatments to consider individual patient profiles and disease characteristics. This approach involves identifying specific molecular pathways, genetic variations, and biomarkers that contribute to cirrhosis and its complications, allowing for the development of drugs and therapies that target these specific mechanisms. Sequencing technologies have made it possible to identify genetic and epigenetic changes in patients with cirrhosis that can be used to inform treatment. Existing standard of care is based on general mechanisms to decrease inflammation in the liver and scarring, but future therapies may be aimed at specific molecular pathways responsible for individual cases. This provides the potential for creating customized treatment plans on the basis of individual patient and disease factors like genotype, disease stage, co-morbidities etc. A number of targeted therapies targeting important mechanisms like TGF-beta inhibition are in pipeline. Future disciplines like RNA therapeutics, gene therapy and regenerative medicine have the potential to provide ...

Overview

New York, NY – May 05, 2025 – Global Oncology Drugs Market size is expected to be worth around USD 548.7 Billion by 2033 from USD 201.5 Billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033. This growth is supported by increasing research and development investments, regulatory approvals for novel drug formulations, and the expansion of cancer care infrastructure, especially in emerging economies.

The global oncology drugs market is witnessing robust growth, driven by the increasing global cancer burden and significant advancements in targeted therapies and immuno-oncology treatments. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. This growing incidence has created a strong demand for effective and personalized cancer treatment options.

Oncology drugs encompass a wide range of treatment modalities including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy. Among these, targeted and immune-based therapies are gaining notable traction due to their improved efficacy and fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.

North America currently dominates the global market due to advanced healthcare systems and high adoption of innovative treatments, while Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth due to rising healthcare access and awareness. As cancer incidence continues to rise, the oncology drugs sector remains a critical component of the global pharmaceutical industry, with strong potential for innovation and life-saving interventions.

Digital Therapeutics COPD Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global Digital Therapeutics for COPD market size reached USD 1.28 billion in 2024, driven by increasing adoption of digital health solutions and the rising prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worldwide. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 21.4% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated USD 8.87 billion by 2033. This robust growth can be attributed to a combination of technological advancements, greater focus on patient-centric care, and the growing need for scalable, cost-effective management strategies for chronic respiratory conditions. As per our latest research, the surge in demand for remote monitoring and self-management solutions is a key driver accelerating the adoption of Digital Therapeutics (DTx) in the COPD space.

The primary growth factor propelling the Digital Therapeutics for COPD market is the increasing global burden of COPD, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization, COPD is projected to become the third leading cause of death globally by 2030. This alarming trend has intensified the focus on innovative disease management solutions that can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Digital therapeutics offer evidence-based, software-driven interventions that empower patients to manage symptoms, adhere to medication regimens, and engage in pulmonary rehabilitation from the comfort of their homes. The integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data analytics into DTx platforms further enhances their ability to provide personalized care, track patient progress, and deliver timely interventions, making them an indispensable tool in the fight against COPD.

Another significant driver is the growing acceptance and support for digital health interventions among healthcare providers, payers, and regulatory bodies. As healthcare systems worldwide strive to transition from reactive to proactive care models, digital therapeutics are gaining traction due to their ability to deliver scalable, remote, and cost-effective interventions. Governments and insurance companies are increasingly recognizing the clinical and economic benefits of DTx, leading to favorable reimbursement policies and integration into standard-of-care protocols. This has stimulated investment in research and development, resulting in a proliferation of innovative products tailored to address the unique challenges of COPD management. The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a pivotal role in accelerating digital health adoption, as it underscored the importance of remote monitoring and virtual care to maintain continuity of care for vulnerable populations such as COPD patients.

Technological advancements and the proliferation of connected health devices are further fueling market growth. The integration of digital therapeutics with wearable devices, spirometers, and mobile health applications enables continuous monitoring of lung function, symptom tracking, and real-time feedback. These capabilities not only enhance patient engagement and self-management but also facilitate timely interventions by healthcare providers, reducing the risk of exacerbations and hospitalizations. Interoperability with electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth platforms ensures seamless data exchange and supports coordinated, multidisciplinary care. As digital literacy and smartphone penetration increase globally, the accessibility and usability of DTx solutions are improving, broadening their reach to underserved populations and rural areas.

From a regional perspective, North America currently dominates the Digital Therapeutics for COPD market, accounting for the largest share in 2024, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The region’s leadership is underpinned by a high prevalence of COPD, advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong regulatory support, and significant investment in digital health innovation. However, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by increasing awareness of digital health, rising healthcare expenditure, and a burgeoning patient population. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also emerging as promising markets, albeit at a slower pace, as governments and healthcare organizations gradually embrace digital transformation in respiratory care.

Product Type Analysis

<br

Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in the world in men and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in women. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most dominant form of liver cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of liver cancer cases. The prognosis of HCC is dependent on the stage of the disease at diagnosis. However, even with treatments such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, and ablative therapies, which are only suitable for early-stage HCC patients, the majority of patients are likely to progress onto the advanced stages of the disease. Read More

breastcanc-ultrasound-class

  Background

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, according to IHME - Global Burden of Disease, with 10.7 mln casualties in 2019.

Amongst the various types of cancer, a huge role is played by breast cancer, which stands in 4th position among the deadliest tumors, with more than 700.000 deaths during 2019 (IHME - Global Burden of Disease).

Moreover, breast cancer has the highest share of number of cases/100 people worldwide… See the full description on the dataset page: https://huggingface.co/datasets/as-cle-bert/breastcanc-ultrasound-class.

Cardiac Telemetry Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global cardiac telemetry market size in 2024 stands at USD 2.35 billion, reflecting a robust trajectory driven by rising cardiovascular disease prevalence and technological advancements. The market is witnessing a healthy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1% from 2025 to 2033. By the end of 2033, the market is forecasted to reach approximately USD 6.56 billion. This growth is primarily attributed to the increasing adoption of remote patient monitoring, heightened awareness regarding early cardiac event detection, and the integration of advanced wireless technologies within healthcare infrastructures worldwide.

One of the major growth factors propelling the cardiac telemetry market is the escalating incidence of cardiovascular diseases globally. The World Health Organization reports that cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, accounting for nearly 17.9 million deaths annually. This alarming statistic has prompted healthcare providers to seek more effective, real-time monitoring solutions, such as cardiac telemetry, to enhance patient outcomes and reduce mortality rates. The ability of cardiac telemetry systems to continuously monitor patients’ heart rhythms and promptly alert clinicians to life-threatening arrhythmias significantly improves the chances of timely intervention, further driving the demand for these solutions.

Technological advancements in cardiac telemetry devices and software have also played a pivotal role in market expansion. The evolution from traditional wired telemetry systems to advanced wireless platforms has enabled greater mobility for patients and streamlined workflow for healthcare professionals. Integration with cloud-based solutions and artificial intelligence-driven analytics has enhanced diagnostic accuracy, predictive capabilities, and data management. The ongoing miniaturization of telemetry devices and the proliferation of wearable technology are making it easier for patients to be monitored in outpatient settings or even at home, thus broadening the market’s end-user base and fostering higher adoption rates.

Another significant driver is the increasing emphasis on healthcare cost containment and the shift toward value-based care models. Cardiac telemetry supports early detection and intervention, reducing the need for expensive emergency care and hospital readmissions. This is particularly relevant in the context of an aging global population, where chronic cardiovascular conditions are more prevalent. The adoption of cardiac telemetry in homecare settings and ambulatory surgery centers is rising, as these environments benefit from continuous cardiac monitoring without the need for prolonged hospital stays, thereby optimizing resource utilization and improving patient satisfaction.

From a regional perspective, North America continues to dominate the cardiac telemetry market, accounting for more than 38% of the global revenue in 2024. This is largely due to the region’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, high prevalence of cardiac disorders, and strong presence of leading market players. Europe follows closely, driven by increasing healthcare expenditure and favorable reimbursement policies. However, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth, with a projected CAGR exceeding 14% during the forecast period, fueled by rising healthcare investments, expanding geriatric population, and growing awareness of remote monitoring technologies.

Product Type Analysis

The cardiac telemetry market is segmented by product type into wireless cardiac telemetry and wired cardiac telemetry, each offering unique advantages and catering to different clinical needs. Wireless cardiac telemetry has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by its ability to provide patients with greater mobility and comfort while ensuring continuous and reliable cardiac mon

The leading cause of death in low-income countries worldwide in 2021 was lower respiratory infections, followed by stroke and ischemic heart disease. The death rate from lower respiratory infections that year was 59.4 deaths per 100,000 people. While the death rate from stroke was around 51.6 per 100,000 people. Many low-income countries suffer from health issues not seen in high-income countries, including infectious diseases, malnutrition and neonatal deaths, to name a few. Low-income countries worldwide Low-income countries are defined as those with per gross national incomes (GNI) per capita of 1,045 U.S. dollars or less. A majority of the world’s low-income countries are located in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. Some of the lowest-income countries as of 2023 include Burundi, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. Low-income countries have different health problems that lead to worse health outcomes. For example, Chad, Lesotho, and Nigeria have some of the lowest life expectancies on the planet. Health issues in low-income countries Low-income countries also tend to have higher rates of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases as a consequence of poor health infrastructure and a lack of qualified health workers. Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa have some of the highest rates of new HIV infections worldwide. Likewise, tuberculosis, a treatable condition that affects the respiratory system, has high incident rates in lower income countries. Other health issues can be affected by the income of a country as well, including maternal and infant mortality. In 2023, Afghanistan had one of the highest rates of infant mortality rates in the world.