Interpretation of the Global Tuberculosis Report 2025: Global Epidemic Trends and China’s Control Strategy

This comprehensive interpretation of the World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report 2025 integrates data from 2024 to appraise worldwide and Chinese TB epidemic trends, progress in control measures, and persisting challenges. The estimated 10.7 million incident cases and 1.23 million deaths worldwide correspond to decreases of only 12% in incidence and 29% in mortality since 2015, far short of the 2025 End TB milestones of −50% and −75%. Drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains a formidable obstacle: 390,000 people developed multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB), only 42% of whom accessed treatment, and China accounted for 7.1% of this burden. Although China achieved the target 20% decrease in incidence, its 696,000 cases, including 28,000 with MDR/RR-TB, still ranked among the highest worldwide, and the 2.4-million global case-detection gap underscored diagnostic deficits. Herein, we synthesize advances in rapid molecular assays, 6-month all-oral regimens (BPaLM/BPaL), 18 novel vaccine candidates (six in phase III), shorter preventive therapy, and digital adherence tools. Moreover, we map fragile health systems, comorbidities, catastrophic costs, and a funding shortfall of US $16 billion. Finally, we propose multi-sector accountability, universal health coverage, social protection scale-up, and sustained research and development investment to accelerate progress toward the 2030 elimination goal.