Explore how antibiotics are classified through the WHO AWaRe framework, their biological targets, and spectrum of activity. This visual guide reveals why different antibiotics are used differently and why responsible prescribing matters.

Where are antibiotics used the most? This map visualizes global patterns of antibiotic consumption, revealing striking regional differences in how antibiotics are prescribed and used.

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Antibiotic consumption is measured using Defined Daily Doses (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day, allowing meaningful comparisons between countries regardless of population size.

3.2 Global Antibiotic Consumption
Antimicrobial resistance affects every region differently. Explore the global distribution of AMR burden and discover where resistant infections have the greatest impact on public health.
3.3 AWaRe Around the World
The WHO AWaRe classification groups antibiotics into three categories based on their recommended use and resistance risk. Countries are encouraged to prioritise Access antibiotics, which should account for at least 70% of national antibiotic consumption.

Access

First-line antibiotics for common infections. WHO recommends they make up at least 70% of national antibiotic use.

Watch

Broader-spectrum antibiotics with a higher risk of resistance. Their use should be carefully monitored.

Reserve

Last-resort antibiotics reserved for multidrug-resistant infections.

3.4 The Global Burden of AMR
3.5 The Hidden Costs of Antibiotic Misuse
3.6 The Ethical Dilemma
This section traces the consequences from direct harm to individuals, to antimicrobial resistance across populations, and ultimately to the loss of antibiotics as a shared public resource.
How can we preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics while ensuring equitable access to essential treatment? This section explores the ethical tensions between individual care, equitable access, and collective responsibility.
3.1 The Antibiotics Family Tree

Source: Our World in Data (2024). Antibiotic consumption rate. Data from WHO GLASS.

Source: WHO AWaRe Report 2023, WHO GLASS 2022

Attributable deaths due to AMR by region (all ages, 2019)
How are antibiotics connected to one another?
Where are antibiotics used the most?
What kinds of antibiotics are different countries using?
Where does antimicrobial resistance have the greatest impact?
What happens when antibiotics are used unnecessarily?
How can we promote responsible antibiotic use while ensuring access to essential treatment?
Share of Antibiotic Consumption by AWaRe Group (%)
WHO Recommendation
Middle East
Europe
Oceania
World Average
Latin America & Caribbean
Asia (excl. China & India)
China
India
Africa
North America
70%
46%
29%
36%
41%
61%
58%
48%
44%
36%
34%
60%
40%
30%
50%
37%
32%
36%
40%
40%
19%
9%
11%
15%
14%
10%
20%
24%
26%
35%
19%
20%
10%
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