Global HIV Statistics: Trends, Growth, Deaths

HIV remains one of the largest global public health challenges more than four decades after the epidemic was first recognized. Although remarkable progress has been made in prevention, testing, and treatment, millions of people around the world are still living with the virus, and thousands of new infections occur every day.

The widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV care. People who are diagnosed early and receive consistent treatment can now live longer, healthier lives than ever before. Even so, the impact of HIV is not the same everywhere. The burden of the disease differs across countries, age groups, genders, and populations, with some communities continuing to face a much higher risk of infection.

This article presents the latest HIV statistics from around the world, including data on people living with HIV, new infections, AIDS-related deaths, treatment coverage, testing, viral suppression, regional trends, and the populations most affected by the epidemic.

Key HIV Statistics

• Around 41.0 million people were living with HIV worldwide in 2025, while approximately 1.2 million people acquired HIV and 570,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses during the year.
• Annual new HIV infections have fallen by about 65% since their peak in 1995, declining from 3.5 million to approximately 1.2 million in 2025.
• Approximately 32.1 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2025, representing 78% of all people living with HIV worldwide.
• Around 5 million people were unaware that they were living with HIV in 2025, highlighting the continued need for expanded HIV testing and early diagnosis.
• Adults aged 25 to 44 years represented nearly 60% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States, while 51% of diagnoses occurred in the Southern states.
• Approximately 120,000 children acquired HIV worldwide in 2024, while new HIV infections among children have fallen by about 62% since 2010.
• Sex workers were approximately 17 times more likely to acquire HIV than the general adult population, and HIV prevalence among sex workers was 2.7%, compared with 0.7% among adults globally.

Global HIV Statistics 

Around 41 Million People Were Living With HIV Worldwide in 2025

According to UNAIDS, an estimated 41.0 million people were living with HIV worldwide in 2025. The statistical estimate ranges from 35.3 million to 47.5 million people, reflecting uncertainty in global surveillance data.

Source: UNAIDS

This includes people of all ages living with HIV and shows that HIV continues to affect millions of individuals around the world despite significant progress in prevention and treatment.

Nearly 1.2 Million People Acquired HIV in 2025

UNAIDS estimates that around 1.2 million people acquired HIV during 2025. The estimated range is 950,000 to 1.7 million new infections, indicating that HIV transmission remains widespread across many regions. 

Although annual infections have declined compared with previous decades, more than one million new cases each year demonstrate that preventing HIV transmission remains a global public health priority.

About 570,000 People Died From AIDS-Related Illnesses in 2025

Approximately 570,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide in 2025. The estimated range is 430,000 to 780,000 deaths, reflecting differences in reporting and statistical modelling. 

While expanded access to HIV treatment has reduced AIDS-related mortality considerably, hundreds of thousands of lives are still lost to the disease each year.

Annual HIV Infections Have Fallen by About 65% Since Their Peak in 1995

Global HIV infections have declined substantially over the past three decades. Around 3.5 million people acquired HIV in 1995, compared with approximately 1.2 million in 2025. This represents a decline of roughly 65%, highlighting the long-term impact of improved HIV prevention programmes, wider testing, and increased access to antiretroviral therapy.

New HIV Infections Declined by About 43% Since 2010

Annual HIV infections decreased from approximately 2.1 million in 2010 to around 1.2 million in 2025. This represents an estimated 43% decline over the 15-year period. The steady reduction reflects continued progress in HIV prevention efforts, although the number of new infections remains high enough to make HIV an ongoing global health challenge.

Around 5 Million People Were Unaware They Were Living With HIV in 2025

Despite major progress in HIV testing, an estimated 5 million people worldwide were unaware that they were living with HIV in 2025. People who do not know their HIV status cannot begin antiretroviral therapy, delaying treatment and increasing the risk of HIV-related health complications. 

Around 65% of People Living With HIV Were in the WHO African Region

HIV affects people in every part of the world, but the epidemic remains heavily concentrated in Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 65% of all people living with HIV were in the WHO African Region in 2024, making it the region with the highest HIV burden globally. 

Source: World Health Organization HIV Fact Sheet

While the estimated global HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 years was 0.7%, the prevalence in the WHO African Region was approximately 3.1%, meaning about one in every 30 adults was living with HIV. HIV prevalence varies widely between countries, even within the same region, so regional averages should not be interpreted as national estimates.

HIV Statistics in the United States

More Than 38,000 People Were Diagnosed With HIV in the United States in 2024

According to the CDC’s 2026 HIV surveillance release, more than 38,000 people aged 13 years and older received an HIV diagnosis in 2024 across the United States, seven U.S. territories, and freely associated states. 

The figures show that thousands of people continue to be diagnosed with HIV every year despite major advances in prevention, testing, and treatment. These numbers highlight that HIV remains an important public health issue in the United States and that continued investment in early diagnosis and prevention is still needed.

Men Accounted for About 80% of HIV Diagnoses

Men represented approximately 80% of all HIV diagnoses reported in 2024, making them the group most affected by new HIV diagnoses in the United States. This means that four out of every five newly diagnosed cases occurred among men. 

The data emphasize the importance of expanding HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services for populations at higher risk.

Male-to-Male Sexual Contact Accounted for Around 65% of New HIV Diagnoses

Male-to-male sexual contact was associated with approximately 65% of all HIV diagnoses reported in 2024. It remained the leading reported route of HIV transmission in the United States. 

Although effective prevention tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom use, and regular HIV testing are widely available, this group continues to account for the majority of new diagnoses.

Adults Aged 25 to 44 Represented Nearly 60% of HIV Diagnoses

People aged 25 to 44 years accounted for approximately 60% of all HIV diagnoses in 2024. This age group represented the largest share of newly diagnosed cases, indicating that HIV continues to have its greatest impact on adults in their most economically active years. 

The findings highlight the need for continued awareness campaigns, routine testing, and access to preventive services among working-age adults.

Black Americans Accounted for 39% of HIV Diagnoses

Black or African American people represented approximately 39% of all HIV diagnoses reported in 2024, despite accounting for only about 12% of the total U.S. population. The difference illustrates the continuing racial disparities in the HIV epidemic. 

Public health experts attribute these disparities to a combination of social, economic, and healthcare factors rather than differences in individual risk alone.

The Southern United States Reported More Than Half of All HIV Diagnoses

The Southern United States accounted for approximately 51% of all HIV diagnoses reported in 2024, the highest share among all U.S. regions. More than one out of every two new HIV diagnoses occurred in Southern states, demonstrating the region’s disproportionate burden of HIV. 

Expanding access to HIV testing, prevention programmes, and treatment services remains a key priority for reducing new infections across the South.

HIV Statistics Among Children and Young People

Around 120,000 Children Acquired HIV in 2024

An estimated 120,000 children acquired HIV worldwide during 2024. Most childhood HIV infections occur through mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding when preventive services are unavailable or inaccessible. 

Continued expansion of prevention programmes for pregnant women remains essential to further reducing new HIV infections among children.

New HIV Infections Among Children Have Fallen by About 62% Since 2010

The number of children acquiring HIV each year has fallen substantially over the past decade. Annual new infections among children declined by approximately 62% between 2010 and 2024, reflecting major progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission. Increased access to HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy has been one of the main drivers of this decline.

Around 1.9 Million Adolescent Girls and Young Women Were Living With HIV in 2023

An estimated 1.9 million adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24 years were living with HIV worldwide in 2023. This age group continues to carry a significant share of the global HIV burden, particularly in regions with high HIV prevalence. 

Expanding access to prevention, testing, and treatment services remains critical for improving health outcomes among young women.

About 210,000 Adolescent Girls and Young Women Acquired HIV in 2023

Approximately 210,000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24 years acquired HIV during 2023. This means that thousands of young women continued to become infected every week despite ongoing prevention efforts. 

The figures highlight the need for stronger HIV prevention programmes that address both healthcare access and the social factors that increase vulnerability.

Women and Girls Accounted for 44% of New HIV Infections Worldwide in 2023

Women and girls represented approximately 44% of all new HIV infections reported globally in 2023. Although men accounted for the majority of new infections worldwide, women and girls continued to experience a substantial share of the epidemic. 

In several high-burden regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls and young women remain among the populations most affected by new HIV infections.

HIV Prevalence Statistics

Adults Accounted for Nearly All People Living With HIV in 2025

Adults aged 15 years and older represented the overwhelming majority of people living with HIV worldwide in 2025. Of the estimated 40.9 million people living with HIV, approximately 39.7 million were aged 15 years and older, while around 1.3 million were children aged 0 to 14 years. 

This means that adults accounted for more than 97% of the global HIV population, while children represented about 3%, highlighting the continuing concentration of HIV among adults.

Women and Girls Accounted for About 51% of People Living With HIV

Women and girls represented approximately 51% of all people living with HIV worldwide in 2025. This means that just over half of the global HIV population was female.

UNAIDS and WHO Reported Nearly Identical HIV Estimates

UNAIDS estimated that 40.9 million people were living with HIV in 2025, while the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an estimate of 41.0 million. The slight difference reflects statistical modelling rather than a change in the overall trend.

A Higher HIV Population Also Reflects Better Survival

The total number of people living with HIV does not increase only because of new infections. Widespread access to antiretroviral therapy allows people with HIV to live much longer, which keeps the total number of people living with the virus high even as annual infections and deaths continue to decline.

AIDS-Related Death Statistics

AIDS-Related Deaths Have Fallen by About 70% Since Their Peak

Global deaths from AIDS-related illnesses have declined dramatically since the epidemic reached its highest mortality levels. Annual deaths peaked at approximately 2.1 million in 2004 but fell to around 570,000 in 2025. 

This represents an overall decline of about 70%, reflecting the widespread impact of expanded HIV testing, earlier diagnosis, and greater access to antiretroviral therapy.

Annual AIDS-Related Deaths Fell From 2.1 Million to 570,000

Approximately 2.1 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2004, compared with an estimated 570,000 deaths in 2025. The sharp decline demonstrates the progress made in HIV treatment and long-term disease management over the past two decades. Despite these gains, AIDS-related illnesses continue to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year.

AIDS-Related Deaths Have Declined by More Than Half Since 2010

Annual AIDS-related deaths decreased from approximately 1.3 million in 2010 to around 570,000 in 2025. This represents a reduction of roughly 54% over the 15-year period. 

Continued improvements in access to HIV treatment have played a major role in lowering mortality, although treatment coverage remains uneven across countries and population groups.

Nearly One Person Died From AIDS-Related Illnesses Every Minute in 2025

Based on the estimated 570,000 AIDS-related deaths recorded in 2025, approximately one person died every minute from HIV-related causes worldwide.

HIV Treatment Statistics

More Than 32 Million People Were Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in 2025

By the end of 2025, an estimated 32.1 million people worldwide were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The continued expansion of HIV treatment has significantly improved survival rates and reduced AIDS-related deaths across many countries. 

The expansion of antiretroviral therapy has been one of the biggest drivers of progress against HIV. With 32.1 million people receiving treatment in 2025, access to ART has helped lower AIDS-related deaths, improve survival, and allow millions of people living with HIV to lead longer and healthier lives.

Adults Had Higher HIV Treatment Coverage Than Children in 2025

Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) varied considerably across different population groups in 2025. Approximately 79% of adults aged 15 years and older living with HIV were receiving treatment, compared with 54% of children aged 0 to 14 years. The 25-percentage-point difference highlights one of the largest remaining treatment gaps in the global HIV response.

HIV Treatment Coverage Has Increased Rapidly Over the Past Two Decades

Access to antiretroviral therapy has expanded dramatically since the early 2000s. Millions of people who previously had limited access to treatment are now receiving lifesaving medicines, making ART one of the most important public health interventions in the global HIV response.

Effective ART Can Reduce HIV to Undetectable Levels

When taken consistently as prescribed, antiretroviral therapy can reduce the amount of HIV in the body to an undetectable viral load. Scientific evidence shows that people who maintain an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV, a concept known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).

Expanding HIV Treatment Is Essential to Ending AIDS by 2030

Increasing access to antiretroviral therapy remains a key global priority. UNAIDS identifies widespread HIV testing, early diagnosis, and sustained treatment as essential strategies for achieving the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Nearly 78% of People Living With HIV Were Receiving Treatment

Around 78% of all people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) by the end of 2025. This means that nearly four out of every five people living with HIV had access to lifesaving treatment. Although treatment coverage has improved substantially over the past two decades, millions of people worldwide still do not have access to HIV medicines.

About 95% of People Receiving HIV Treatment Achieved Viral Suppression

Approximately 95% of people receiving antiretroviral therapy achieved viral suppression in 2025. Viral suppression means the amount of HIV in the body is reduced to very low or undetectable levels through effective treatment. 

About 87% of Pregnant Women Living With HIV Received Antiretroviral Medicines

Approximately 87% of pregnant women living with HIV received antiretroviral medicines in 2025 to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their babies. Treatment during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. Continued expansion of these services has contributed to a substantial decline in new HIV infections among children.

HIV Statistics Among Sex Workers

HIV Prevalence Among Sex Workers Was Nearly Four Times Higher Than the Global Adult Average

Sex workers continue to experience a significantly higher burden of HIV than the general population. According to UNAIDS, the median HIV prevalence among sex workers was approximately 2.7% in 2024, compared with an estimated 0.7% among adults aged 15 to 49 years worldwide. 

This means HIV prevalence among sex workers was nearly four times higher than the global average for adults.

Sex Workers Had a 17 Times Higher Risk of Acquiring HIV

UNAIDS estimates that sex workers were approximately 17 times more likely to acquire HIV than adults in the general population in 2024. This makes sex workers one of the populations most affected by HIV globally. 

The elevated risk highlights the importance of targeted HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services for this community.

Social and Structural Factors Contribute to Higher HIV Risk Among Sex Workers

The higher HIV burden among sex workers cannot be explained by individual behaviour alone. Factors such as violence, stigma, discrimination, criminalization, unsafe working conditions, limited ability to negotiate condom use, and barriers to healthcare all increase the risk of HIV exposure and reduce access to prevention and treatment services. 

Addressing these structural challenges is considered an essential part of reducing HIV transmission among sex workers.

HIV Prevention Statistics

Daily Oral PrEP Can Reduce the Risk of Sexual HIV Transmission by About 99%

Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is one of the most effective tools available for preventing HIV. When taken consistently as prescribed, PrEP can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV through sexual contact by about 99%. Its high level of effectiveness has made PrEP a key component of HIV prevention strategies in many countries.

WHO Endorsed Long-Acting Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention in 2025

In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended long-acting lenacapavir as a new option for HIV prevention. Unlike daily oral PrEP, lenacapavir provides protection with two injections per year, offering a longer-lasting alternative for people at substantial risk of HIV. The approval is expected to improve prevention options, particularly for individuals who find it difficult to take a daily pill.

Funding Cuts Have Disrupted HIV Prevention Services in Several Countries

Reductions in HIV funding have affected prevention programmes in a number of countries. These funding shortages have limited access to PrEP, HIV testing, community outreach programmes, and other prevention services, particularly for populations at higher risk of HIV. Public health organizations warn that sustained investment is essential to maintain progress in reducing new HIV infections.

HIV Targets and Progress

The UNAIDS 95-95-95 Targets Measure Progress in HIV Diagnosis and Treatment

The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets are designed to measure progress toward controlling the HIV epidemic. The goals call for 95% of people living with HIV to know their HIV status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of people receiving treatment to achieve viral suppression. 

Meeting these targets would greatly reduce HIV transmission and improve long-term health outcomes for people living with the virus.

The Global AIDS Strategy Could Prevent 3.3 Million New HIV Infections by 2030

According to UNAIDS, successful implementation of the Global AIDS Strategy 2026 to 2031 could prevent an estimated 3.3 million new HIV infections between 2025 and 2030. 

Expanding HIV testing, prevention services, and treatment coverage are central to achieving this outcome. The projection highlights the potential impact of sustained investment in evidence-based HIV programmes.

The Global Strategy Could Prevent About 1.4 Million AIDS-Related Deaths

UNAIDS estimates that the Global AIDS Strategy 2026 to 2031 could avert approximately 1.4 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030. Earlier diagnosis, wider access to antiretroviral therapy, and improved continuity of care are expected to drive much of this reduction. Achieving these targets would save millions of lives while reducing the global burden of HIV.

Ending AIDS as a Public Health Threat by 2030 Remains the Global Goal

Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 remains the primary objective of the Global AIDS Strategy 2026 to 2031. Achieving this goal will require continued expansion of HIV prevention programmes, universal access to treatment, and efforts to reduce inequalities that limit access to healthcare. Global cooperation and sustained funding are expected to play a critical role in reaching this target.

FAQs

1. How many people were living with HIV worldwide?

According to UNAIDS, an estimated 40.9 million people were living with HIV worldwide in 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a similar estimate of approximately 41 million people.

2. How many people are diagnosed with HIV each year?

An estimated 1.2 million people acquired HIV globally in 2025. Although annual new infections have declined significantly over the past few decades, more than one million people continue to acquire HIV each year. 

3. How many people die from HIV each year?

Approximately 570,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2025. This is a major improvement compared with the peak of the epidemic, when annual deaths exceeded two million.

4. How many children are living with HIV?

Approximately 1.3 million children aged 0 to 14 years were living with HIV worldwide in 2025. During the same year, an estimated 94,000 children acquired HIV. Most childhood HIV infections occur through mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding when preventive treatment is not available.

5. Which region has the highest number of people living with HIV?

The WHO African Region continues to have the highest HIV burden worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 65% of all people living with HIV were living in this region in 2024. Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience higher HIV prevalence than the global average.

Wrapping Up

The global fight against HIV has achieved significant progress over the past several decades. Wider access to HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy, and prevention services has led to fewer new infections, lower AIDS-related deaths, and longer life expectancy for millions of people living with HIV. These achievements demonstrate that sustained public health efforts can make a measurable difference.

Looking ahead, the focus will remain on expanding HIV prevention, improving early diagnosis, increasing treatment coverage, and achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. New prevention tools, including long-acting HIV medicines, along with continued investment in healthcare systems and community programmes, have the potential to further reduce HIV transmission. If countries sustain these efforts and ensure equitable access to care, the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 will become increasingly achievable.