As of today, 40.8 million people are living with HIV. In 2022, there were 1.3 million new cases reported, with 9.2 million people remaining untreated.
One of the reasons for the worsening situation has been a sharp decline in international aid observed in 2025. According to estimates from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), external investments in healthcare systems fell by 30-40% compared to 2023, causing serious disruptions in their functioning.
UNAIDS emphasizes that preventive programs have been hit the hardest. In particular, the accessibility of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has decreased, and the number of voluntary medical circumcisions among men has significantly reduced.
The reduction of prevention programs developed in collaboration with young women has deprived them of access to essential HIV prevention services, as well as support for mental health and assistance in cases of gender-based violence. In 2024, there were 570 new cases of HIV among girls aged 15 to 24 reported daily.
Many organizations working at the community level and playing a crucial role in the fight against HIV report mass closures of programs: over 60% of women's initiatives have been forced to suspend their key projects. Programs targeting men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, and transgender individuals have also suffered significant losses.
UNAIDS warns that if current trends continue and the global community does not meet the HIV targets set by the global strategy by 2030, the number of new infections could increase by 3.3 million between 2025 and 2030 compared to current projections.
In anticipation of World AIDS Day, observed on December 1, UNAIDS calls on world leaders to maintain international funding in this area and invest in innovative prevention and treatment methods that will be accessible and sustainable.
