Analysis of Tuberculosis Case Incidence and Trends in 2025

Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable infectious disease that can be effectively cured with appropriate antituberculosis treatment. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of TB cases notified in 2025 and to provide evidence to support national TB control policy development and evaluation.

The epidemiological status of TB in the Republic of Korea (ROK) was assessed using raw data on notified TB cases obtained from the "Annual Report on the Notified Tuberculosis in the ROK, 2024" and the 2025 Integrated Infectious Disease Control Information System of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. TB incidence rates were calculated using the mid-year resident population, with foreign residents included as appropriate denominators.

In 2025, a total of 17,070 TB cases were notified (33.5 cases per 100,000 population), representing a 4.9% decrease (874 cases) compared with 2024 (17,944 cases; 35.2 cases per 100,000 population). Despite this decline, the disease burden remained concentrated among older adults, with 10,669 cases reported in individuals aged ≥65 years. Among TB cases, the number of foreign residents decreased by 2.6% to 1,049 in 2025, from 1,077 in 2024.

Since the peak in 2011 (50,941 TB cases), TB notifications have declined by 66.2%, with an average annual reduction of 7.5%. However, the current incidence remains above the target established in the Third National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control. Achieving this target will require expanded proactive screening among high-risk populations, including older adults and foreign residents, strengthened early detection and linkage to treatment, and further optimization of the TB control system. These efforts are expected to enhance the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of national TB control strategies.