In his 2026 annual letter “Optimism with Footnotes,” Bill Gates sounded a sobering alarm about a historic reversal in global progress — particularly in child survival. 📉

He highlighted that for the first time in 25 years, deaths of children under age five rose, increasing from about 4.6 million in 2024 to 4.8 million in 2025, a setback linked to cuts in foreign aid and support for global health programs.

Gates warns that the next five years are critical: if current trends in reduced funding and shifting political priorities continue, the world risks letting hard-won gains slip further backward, potentially undoing decades of progress.

At the same time, he maintains cautious optimism, asserting that innovation — especially AI-driven tools and global cooperation — could help reverse these trends if leaders and nations invest wisely now.

His message is clear: the coming years could define whether we regain momentum or face prolonged decline — but with decisive action, we still have a chance to chart a better course. 📈✨