Global trends in antibiotic consumption during 2016–2023 and future projections through 2030

Overview: 

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat, exacerbated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture. This One Health Trust co-authored study looked at trends in human antibiotic consumption across 67 countries from 2016 to 2023. Using pharmaceutical sales data, the researchers explored how economic growth, and the COVID-19 pandemic affected antibiotic consumption patterns. The researchers also projected future trends in global antibiotic use through 2030.   

The Question: 

How are antibiotic consumption patterns changing globally, and do factors including income levels and the COVID-19 pandemic influence these trends?  

The Findings:  

 In 2023, estimated global antibiotic consumption (including estimates for countries for which data were unavailable) increased by 10.6 percent, reaching 15.2 defined daily doses (DDDs) per 1,000 people per day. The most significant increases were in upper-middle—and lower-middle-income countries. Economic growth in these regions has contributed to higher antibiotic consumption.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, global antibiotic use dropped for a while, especially in high-income countries. In these countries, the decrease in 2020 was greater and lasted longer compared to lower-income countries.  

The study projects that without proper investments in public health infrastructure—including clean water, sanitation, and vaccination—global antibiotic consumption could rise by over 50 percent by 2030, reaching 75.1 billion DDDs. 

Read the study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) here.