[Read online: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/04/1167370 ]
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.
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.
Although the WHO estimates a projected shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030, An estimated 567 million additional people were covered by essential health services in 2025, up 136 million from 2024. As of 2026, the world population is approximately 8.3 billion. The human population experienced continuous growth following the Great Famine of 1315–1317 and the end of the Black Death in 1350, when it had reached nearly 370 million. The UN Population Division has calculated the future population of the world's countries, based on current demographic trends. The UN's 2024 report projects world population to be 8.1 billion in 2024, about 9.6 billion in 2050, and about 10.2 billion in 2100.
Contraceptive information and services are fundamental to the health and human rights of all individuals.
The prevention of unintended pregnancies helps to lower maternal ill-health and the number of pregnancy-related deaths. Delaying pregnancies in young girls who are at increased risk of health problems from early childbearing, and preventing pregnancies among older women who also face increased risks, are important health benefits of family planning.
By reducing rates of unintended pregnancies, contraception also reduces the need for unsafe abortion and reduces HIV transmissions from mothers to newborns. This can also benefit the education of girls and create opportunities for women to participate more fully in society, including paid employment.
An estimated 164 million women of reproductive age have an unmet need for contraception. Reasons for this include:
limited access to contraception
a limited choice of methods
a fear or experience of side-effects
cultural or religious opposition
poor quality of available services
gender-based barriers.
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.
HIFA profile: Richard Fitton is a retired family doctor - GP. Professional interests: Health literacy, patient partnership of trust and implementation of healthcare with professionals, family and public involvement in the prevention of modern lifestyle diseases, patients using access to professional records to overcome confidentiality barriers to care, patients as part of the policing of the use of their patient data Email address: richardpeterfitton7 AT gmail.com