Five reasons to care about antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when a micro-organism survives despite being exposed to medicines designed to inhibit or kill it.
Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials are the main drivers of AMR. Antimicrobials - including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics - are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals or plants.
This is how AMR usually occurs:
On 13 June 2023, the Council adopted a recommendation to fight AMR. The initiative seeks to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials, to improve infection prevention and control, and to increase research and innovation, among other actions.
1. Resistant bacteria infect around 800 000 people per year
In 2020, over 800 000 people were infected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Europe. The resultant diseases included pneumonia and bloodstream and intra-abdominal infections.
Despite a slight decrease in 2020, the number of infections is growing
This graph shows the estimated number of infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).
A line chart of the number of infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the EU and the EEA in the period 2016-2020.
The number of infections grows every year between 2016 and 2019, with 685 433 infections in 2016 and 865 767 in 2019. In 2020 the number of infections is lower, 801 517, possibly due to changes in surveillance or healthcare practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to control the spread of the virus.
According to the OECD, 70% of infections occur in healthcare settings. AMR compromises surgeries, transplants, intensive care, and the health of people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, for whom a simple infection can cause death.
Children under 12 months old and adults over the age of 70 are the most vulnerable groups. Men are also more likely than women to develop resistant infections.
2. 100 people died from AMR each day in Europe in 2020
Some infections that were curable in the past have become difficult or even impossible to treat. If AMR continues to develop, small cuts and minor infections and surgeries can become life threatening.
Drug-resistant infections kill 35 000 people every year
This graph shows the estimated number of deaths due to infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the EU and the EEA.
An area chart of the number of deaths due to infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the EU and the EEA in the period 2016-2020. The number of deaths grows every year between 2016 and 2019, with 30 730 deaths in 2016 and 38 710 in 2019.
In 2020 the number of deaths decreases until 35 813. 35 813 is approximately the number of passengers that fit into 13 cruise ships.
Greece and Italy have the highest death rates
This graph shows the estimated number of deaths attribuable to AMR per 100 000 people by country in 2020.
A bar chart of the number of deaths attributable to antimicrobial resistance per 100 000 people in the EU and EEA countries.
In the chart, Greece stands out as the country with the highest death rate, with 20 deaths per 100 000 people, followed by Italy, with 19 deaths per 100 000 people.
Norway and the Netherlands are the countries with the lowest death rates, both with 2 deaths per 100 000 people.
The EU average is 6 deaths per 100 000 people.
3. AMR is present in animals, food, plants and the environment
Antimicrobials are also used for treating livestock, aquaculture and animals. They also reach the environment through human and animal urine and excreta, the inappropriate disposal of medicines and the use of contaminated manure in agriculture. As a result, residues are also present in soil, water and plants, increasing the risk of further contamination.
Consumption of antibiotics in humans is now higher than in food-producing animals
The graph below shows antimicrobial consumption in farmed animals, compared to humans. The use of antibiotics in food-producing animals is decreasing.
A line chart of the antimicrobial consumption in farmed animals, compared to humans.
The use of antibiotics in food-producing animals decreases from 154,7 mg of active antimicrobial ingredient per kg of biomass in 2014 until 104,8 mg in 2018, while the use in humans increases, from 125,3 mg in 2014 until 131,7 in 2018.
Although consumption in animals is decreasing, misuse still endangers both animals and people, as animals can transmit resistant bacteria to humans through direct contact or the food chain.
4. Fighting resistant bacteria entails substantial healthcare costs
The estimated cost of AMR for healthcare systems in Europe is €1.1 billion per year.
When an infection does not respond to a first-line antimicrobial treatment (the most effective and safest treatment option for the patient), healthcare professionals turn to more expensive alternatives, such as second-and third-line drugs (the last treatment options available). Complications or the longer duration of a disease or treatment sometimes require longer hospital stays, with the corresponding costs.
Resistance to last resort antibiotics is growing
This graph shows that AMR to second- and third-line antibiotics, used when bacteria are resistant to common antibiotics, is high and is projected to keep increasing in EU/EEA countries. If no effective action is taken, AMR will generate a significant health and economic burden according to experts.
A line chart of the antimicrobial resistance to first-, second- and third-line antibiotics, where resistance to first-line antibiotics is projected to decrease by 11% in 2050 compared to 2005, and resistance to second- and third-line antibiotics is forecasted to increase by 72% and 119% respectively by 2050, compared to 2005.
5. AMR damages the economy
Prolonged sickness and mortality have a direct impact on our economies. AMR can also disrupt the trade of livestock and livestock products, as it affects animals’ health and welfare and consequently their productivity.
Greater antimicrobial resistance means a greater impact on global GDP
This graph shows the potential economic losses resulting from the impact of AMR on workers' health and animal health if no effective action is taken.
A line chart of the potential economic losses resulting from the impact of antimicrobial resistance on workers' health and animal health if no effective action is taken.
In an optimistic low-antimicrobial resistance scenario, the economic burden is projected to be significant, with a global GDP loss of 1.1% in 2050.
In a pessimistic high-antimicrobial resistance scenario, the economic costs are projected to be severe, with a global GDP loss of 3.8 % in 2050.
Last review: 23 July 2026