Antibiotic resistance is one of the main threats to public health in France and around the world, as it limits treatment options for community-acquired infections and risks undermining the advances in modern medicine made possible by the prevention or treatment of healthcare-associated infections. While the situation in France can be described as mixed, with good results in controlling methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or penicillin-resistant pneumococci, these advances remain slow and fragile and are offset by the rise of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and the emergence of those resistant to carbapenems. There is a north-south gradient of antibiotic resistance in Europe, with generally better indicators in Northern Europe. The situation in the rest of the world remains poorly documented, but the available data indicate that the problem is sometimes significant in most countries. The control and prevention of antibiotic resistance rely on hygiene measures to limit the cross-transmission of bacteria, on the appropriate use of antibiotics, and, for certain pathogens, on vaccination. These measures are urgent and must be implemented in every country and coordinated at the international level. Surveillance data must be available and widely shared: they are essential for assessing the impact of these measures.