The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on July 29, 2026, that approximately 1.2 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2025, underscoring persistent gaps in prevention and treatment even as global mortality continues to decline. This figure, drawn from the latest WHO Global HIV Statistics report, reveals that while progress has been made, the world remains far from the UNAIDS target of fewer than 370,000 new infections by 2025.
Key Findings from the WHO Report
The WHO stated that the 1.2 million new cases represent a slight decrease from 2024, but the rate of decline is insufficient to meet global goals. The report emphasized that sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly 60% of new infections, with young women and girls disproportionately affected. In Eastern and Southern Africa, infection rates among adolescent girls (15-24) are three times higher than among boys of the same age.
“Despite remarkable progress in antiretroviral therapy coverage, we are seeing that prevention efforts are not reaching those most at risk,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a press briefing. “We must intensify targeted interventions to close the gap.”
Treatment and Mortality Trends
The report also highlighted that over 30 million people were on antiretroviral therapy by the end of 2025, up from 29 million in 2024. AIDS-related deaths fell to 630,000, a 15% drop from the previous year. However, the WHO warned that disruptions due to conflict, climate change, and shrinking donor funding threaten to stall progress. In regions such as West and Central Africa, treatment coverage remains below 50% in several countries.
Regional Disparities and Vulnerable Populations
Eastern Europe and Central Asia saw a 20% increase in new infections, driven by injectable drug use and limited access to harm reduction services. Key populations, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, and people who inject drugs, accounted for over 70% of new infections globally, yet they face stigma and legal barriers to care.
The WHO called for increased investment in community-led responses, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and innovative prevention technologies. “Without urgent action, we risk missing the 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat,” Dr. Tedros added.
Global Response and Funding Gaps
International financing for HIV programs declined by 5% in 2025, raising concerns about sustainability. The WHO urged governments to allocate at least 0.25% of GDP to HIV prevention and treatment. The report also noted that only 25% of people living with HIV in low-income countries have access to viral load monitoring, hindering efforts to achieve the “undetectable equals untransmittable” (U=U) standard.
The WHO’s findings come ahead of the International AIDS Conference in 2027, where world leaders will assess progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal of ending AIDS by 2030. As it stands, the global community is far off track, with an estimated 40 million people living with HIV worldwide.
