Statistics Key statistics on previous WHO Directors-General and Director-General candidates. Countries of Origin of WHO Directors-General Since 1948 Infogram Number of Candidates by WHO Region Infogram Gender ratio of past WHO Directors-Generals Infogram Gender Ratio of Past Candidates: Male-to-Female Infogram Gender split of previous WHO DG candidates by WHO Region Infogram Frequently Asked Questions What is the WHO Director-General election? The Director-General is WHO’s chief technical and administrative officer. Member States elect the next Director-General through a formal process led by the WHO Executive Board and the World Health Assembly. The current term ends on 15 August 2027; the next Director-General is due to take office on 16 August 2027. Who can nominate a candidate? Only WHO Member States may propose candidates. A person does not need to be a WHO staff member, and they do not need to be a national of the Member State that nominates them. Nominations for this election closed on 24 September 2026. How is the next Director-General chosen? After nominations close, candidates are presented to Member States. The 34-member Executive Board meets in January 2027 (EB160), screens candidates, shortlists, interviews them, and nominates up to three people. The World Health Assembly then appoints the Director-General by secret ballot at its May 2027 session (WHA80). Will the public see all candidates right away? Not necessarily. Nominating governments can ask WHO to list their nominee early as a “prospective candidate.” If they do not, that nomination can stay confidential until the Secretariat circulates the full set of proposals to Member States (expected around late October / early November 2026). How long does the Director-General serve? The Director-General is appointed for a five-year term and may be reappointed only once. The person elected at WHA80 will begin their term on 16 August 2027. in collaboration with the Global Health Centre of the Geneva Graduate Institute