Approximately half of the world's population is at risk of malaria. Specific population risk groups include:
- young children living in malaria areas who have not yet developed protective immunity against the most severe forms of the disease.
- pregnant women, as malaria causes high rates of miscarriage and can lead to maternal death.
- people with HIV/AIDS.
- international travellers from non-endemic areas because they lack immunity.
- immigrants from endemic areas and their children living in non-endemic areas and returning to their home countries to visit friends and relatives are similarly at risk because of waning or absent immunity.