Measuring health progress with data: Over the past two decades, healthy life expectancy has risen significantly worldwide, and the goal of “healthier lives” has achieved tangible progress—yet health systems and equitable access remain key priorities for continued improvement.
The 2025 edition consists of four chapters and the accompanying annexes. Chapter 1 presents an in-depth analysis of global and regional estimates of life expectancy, healthy life expectancy and progress in the reduction of premature mortality. Chapter 2 reviews the status of the health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators, covering age- and cause-specific mortality, infectious diseases, risk factors for health, and universal health coverage (UHC) and health systems. A summary of global and regional trends towards the achievement of selected health-related SDG indicators is further presented in Annex 1. Chapter 3 presents updated projections on WHO’s Triple Billion targets, based on the most recent available data. It also describes WHO’s transition from its thirteenth general programme of work (GPW13) to the fourteenth general programme of work (GPW14), aligning with emerging global health challenges and priorities. Chapter 4 looks at inequalities in immunization as an important global health issue.
WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work translated the health-related targets in the SDGs into the “triple billion” targets for 2018–2025: one billion more people living healthier lives; one billion more people covered by universal health coverage without financial hardship; and one billion more people better protected from health emergencies. By the end of 2024, we estimate that the first target was already exceeded, but the second two are likely to be missed: about 1.4 billion more people were living healthier lives, but only 431 million more people were enjoying access to universal health coverage, and 637 million more people were better protected from health emergencies – encouraging progress, but less than is needed to reach the SDGs.
Nevertheless, it’s not 2030 yet. With stronger leadership and scaled-up delivery, the gap can still be closed. Accordingly, the Fourteenth General Programme of Work sets ambitious new targets: to keep 6 billion people healthier, expand access to affordable health services for 5 billion people, and to see 7 billion people better protected from health emergencies between 2025 and 2028.
Health data are central to achieving these targets, which is why WHO is working with countries and partners to modernize information systems and link data to delivery, through the World Health Data Hub, the SCORE package of health data tools, and the Delivery for Impact approach.
Read the full report “World Health Statistics 2025” (PDF)
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