# Travel >> Destinations >> Africa

Malaria Deaths: Kenya vs. Italy – The Data

The premise “more people die of malaria in Kenya than Italy” is correct in absolute numbers, but the comparison is stark due to transmission status.

WHO 2021 Estimates

Country	Malaria Status	Estimated Deaths	Population at Risk
Kenya	Endemic (high transmission in lake/coastal zones)	~28,800	~40 million
Italy	Malaria-free since 1970 (WHO certified)	~1 (imported case)	0 (indigenous)

Why the Gap?

Ecology: Kenya has year-round Anopheles vectors; Italy eliminated vectors via drainage, DDT (1940s–50s), and surveillance.
Health system: Kenya’s burden strains clinics; Italy’s cases are travel-related, treated in infectious-disease units.
Economics: Malaria costs Kenya ~$100M+ annually in treatment/lost productivity; Italy spends on surveillance, not treatment.

Nuance

Italy sees ~100–200 imported cases yearly (travelers, migrants); deaths are rare (<5/year) due to rapid diagnosis. Kenya’s deaths are mostly children <5 in rural areas.

So: Yes, Kenya has vastly more malaria deaths—because it’s endemic there and eliminated in Italy.

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