Antimicrobial resistance in the EU/EEA (EARS-Net)

The 2024 ECDC Annual Epidemiological Report shows that antimicrobial resistance in the EU/EEA remains a major public-health threat, with rising bloodstream infections caused by key resistant bacteria. While MRSA incidence has declined and already meets the 2030 EU target, most other priority pathogens—especially 3rd-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae—continue to increase, with some resistance types showing significant upward trends since 2019. Overall, AMR levels remain highest in southern, central and eastern Europe, and more than 35,000 deaths per year are attributed to resistant infections in the EU/EEA. The report concludes that current efforts are insufficient to meet the EU’s 2030 AMR reduction goals, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen surveillance, infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship and coordinated One Health action across Member States.