Targeted Action and Financing the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance in Asia 2025

Asia: The perfect crucible for AMR2 Asia faces a huge challenge from the AMR crisis, accounting for more than half of the 4.71 million deaths worldwide associated with AMR in 2021.43 As shown in Figures 2 and 3, Asia’s share is by far the largest as a region.44 Future projections are particularly alarming across all sub-regions within Asia. By 2050, the number of lives lost every year to diseases associated with AMR is expected to reach 2.4 million in South Asia and 1.94 million in South- East Asia, East Asia and Oceania.45 The economic implications of AMR in Asia are equally concerning. Forecasts indicate that AMR-related costs in the region could reach $550-700 billion by 2050, which would consume 0.8-1% of the continent’s GDP .46 The effect on healthcare systems in the region is significant, with estimated additional treatment costs ranging from 2.5% to 10% of healthcare expenditure.47 These increased costs strain already-burdened healthcare systems and can lead to reduced access to effective treatments for many patients. Meanwhile, the economic burden continues to pose a threat to productivity, economic growth and overall development in the region.2.1 The scale of the problemCountries in South-East and East Asia have launched national action plans to combat AMR, but greater investment is needed to ensure a One Health approach across people, food, animals and ecosystems. Forecasts indicate that AMR- related costs in Asia could reach $550-700 billion by 2050, which would consume 0.8-1% of the continent’s GDP . Targeted Action and Financing the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance in Asia 11