New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in more than three decades, yet the world remains off track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, according to the latest UNAIDS report released on Friday.
In 2025, there will be 40.9 million people living with HIV, including 39.7 million adults (15 years or older) and 1.3 million children (0-14 years). New HIV infections have fallen by 65% since their peak in 1995. In 2025, 1.2 million people will be newly infected with HIV, compared to about 3.5 million in 1995. Since 2010, new HIV infections have fallen by 43%, from 2.1 million to 1.2 million in 2025.
AIDS-related deaths have declined by 74% since their peak in 2004, and by 57% since 2010. In 2025, about 570,000 people will die from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide, compared to about 2.1 million in 2004 and 1.3 million in 2010.
Globally, at the end of 2025, 88% of people living with HIV knew their HIV status, 89% of those who knew their HIV status were on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieved viral suppression.
The global landscape for external financing for HIV in 2025 was characterized by heightened uncertainty and growing financing pressures, the report said, but it also highlighted the support provided by countries such as India and China to assist in the global response.
“In 2025, responses to HIV around the world were hampered by shifts in financing that threatened to reverse years of progress in the HIV response. In 2025, external financing for all development sectors fell by 23% compared to 2024,” the report said.
“Emerging economies and South-South cooperation contribute to HIV financing on a limited scale. In 2025, China announced a two-year partnership worth US$3.49 million to expand HIV prevention services in South Africa (50). India contributed through commitments to provide antiretroviral drugs to support HIV responses…” the report added.
Community-led organizations play a critical role in supporting people living with HIV, including pregnant women and young people, with access to HIV prevention services, support and adherence to treatment, the report said.
“The work of these organizations is at risk due to recent funding cuts. Sustainability of treatment is fragile, with strong reliance on external funding – for example, 90% in West and Central Africa and 38% in East and Southern Africa in 2024.”
He added that the goal of eliminating AIDS can only be achieved if global solidarity is restored and inequality is addressed.
The report estimates that achieving the 2030 global HIV targets will require US$21.9 billion annually by 2030 in low- and middle-income countries – only slightly more than the US$18.7 billion available in 2024.
The experts have developed the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031, a plan to end AIDS developed through broad multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations, which provides the basis for the recommendations.
“It considers the impact of rapid changes in HIV, the global health and development ecosystem, and sets a path for collective action over the next five years and beyond. The strategy aims to ensure that by 2030, 40 million people living with HIV will receive HIV treatment and have a suppressed viral load; 20 million people will have access to antiretroviral-based HIV prevention options; and all people can access HIV-related services without discrimination.”
