Reported cases of leprosy in China
China: Reported cases of leprosy was 267 Cases in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Reported cases of leprosy in China, 2005–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in Cases.
Analysis
In 2024, reported cases of leprosy in China stood at 267 Cases. That is the lowest value across all 20 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 15.2% on the previous year and down 67.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported cases of leprosy in China peaked at 1,658 Cases in 2005 and was at its lowest, 267 Cases, in 2024.
That places China 31st out of 181 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported cases of leprosy in China, year by year
| Year | Cases | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,658 Cases | — |
| 2006 | 1,506 Cases | -9.2% |
| 2007 | 1,526 Cases | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 1,614 Cases | +5.8% |
| 2009 | 1,597 Cases | -1.1% |
| 2010 | 1,324 Cases | -17.1% |
| 2011 | 1,144 Cases | -13.6% |
| 2012 | 1,210 Cases | +5.8% |
| 2013 | 930 Cases | -23.1% |
| 2014 | 823 Cases | -11.5% |
| 2015 | 678 Cases | -17.6% |
| 2016 | 672 Cases | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 634 Cases | -5.7% |
| 2018 | 521 Cases | -17.8% |
| 2019 | 464 Cases | -10.9% |
| 2020 | 406 Cases | -12.5% |
| 2021 | 374 Cases | -7.9% |
| 2022 | 302 Cases | -19.3% |
| 2023 | 315 Cases | +4.3% |
| 2024 | 267 Cases | -15.2% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 267 Cases is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 6 Cases, 44.5× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- China's 267 Cases is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 17.5 Cases, 15.3× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,580 Cases | 1,506 Cases | 1,658 Cases | 5 |
| 2010s | 840 Cases | 464 Cases | 1,324 Cases | 10 |
| 2020s | 332.8 Cases | 267 Cases | 406 Cases | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More reference data data for China
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 49.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 75.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 18.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 165.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 206.2 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 350.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,480 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 102.37 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported cases of leprosy in China?
- Reported cases of leprosy in China was 267 Cases in 2024, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest reported cases of leprosy recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 1,658 Cases in 2005.
- What is the lowest reported cases of leprosy recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 267 Cases in 2024.
- How does China rank for reported cases of leprosy?
- China ranks 31st out of 181 countries with data for 2024.
- Is reported cases of leprosy rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 67.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Reported cases of leprosy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 20 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The number of new cases of leprosy reported each year. Leprosy is a disease caused by a bacterial infection that can lead to significant disabilities.