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Tuberculosis among foreign-born populations in the Western Pacific Region: emerging trends and analysis from 2008 to

Francisca S Y Wong¹, Fukushi Morishita², Kyung Hyun Oh²

¹World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines. frannwong@gmail.com.

Tropical Medicine and Health

|December 19, 2025

Abstract

Background:

Migration significantly influences tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology in the Western Pacific Region (WPR), posing challenges to its control and elimination. This study examines the burden of TB among foreign-born individuals at regional and national levels in the WPR.

Methods:

Using data from the WHO Global TB Database and the United Nations' International Migrant Stock dataset, we analysed the number and proportion of foreign-born TB case notifications across the region from 2008 to 2023. We also compared estimated TB incidence among international migrants with regional and national averages in WPR destinations.

Results:

Foreign-born TB notifications increased from 5,639 in 2008 to 10,056 in 2023, with trends varying across the WPR. Malaysia (40.4%), Japan (16.0%), and Australia (12.7%) accounted for the largest caseloads in 2023. Between 2021 and 2023, foreign-born TB cases represented 0.8% of total case notifications in the region, with Australia (89.9%), and New Zealand (86.5%) reporting the highest proportions. As of 2020, international migrants in the WPR (24.8 million, 77.9% of whom originated from high-burden countries) had an estimated TB incidence rate of 130 per 100,000, exceeding national averages in many countries and areas.

Conclusions:

Significant disparities remain in the foreign-born TB burden across the WPR. Strengthening surveillance, improving data comparability, and enhancing cross-border collaboration through migrant-sensitive approaches may help address existing gaps and support progress towards the End TB targets.

Keywords:

Epidemiology Foreign-born Migration Tuberculosis Western Pacific Region

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