Bacterial meningitis is a worldwide health problem, with incidence rates ranging from approximately 0.9 per 100 000 individuals per year in high-income countries to 80 per 100 000 individuals per year in low-income countries.

In low-income countries, bacterial meningitis has a mortality rate of up to 54%. Up to 24% of those who survive develop chronic neurological sequelae, such as hearing loss or focal neurological deficits.