World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is on December 1st every year.
It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day.
The World AIDS Day Red Run is an annual gathering in London where people of all ages and abilities come together to walk, run, or wheel through Victoria Park. It’s not a competitive race, but a vibrant movement to raise awareness and vital funds for HIV support and prevention projects, uniting thousands in solidarity and celebration.
Why World AIDS Day is important
It reminds people and governments that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
Over 107,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally, there are an estimated 40.8 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS-related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition.
Despite this, each year in the UK over 6,000 people are diagnosed with HIV - a number that is increasing.
People do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.
Statement courtesy of the National AIDS Trust
UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2025:
AIDS, CRISIS AND THE POWER TO TRANSFORM
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) annually publishes the Global AIDS Report, providing comprehensive and latest data on the global response to the AIDS epidemic.
This report serves as an important tool for policymakers, researchers, and advocates, providing in-depth analysis and insights into the progress, challenges, and future strategies in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
By presenting up-to-date data and trends, the Global AIDS Report helps drive informed decisions and actions to achieve the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
More on the 2025 Global AIDS Update
UK HIV Statistics Snapshot
Statistic
Figure/detail
Notes/Key Populations
People living with HIV
107,949
Highest ever; half are over 50; 1/3 are women; 1/2 acquired HIV heterosexually; 1/3 are Black African (4% of UK population)
New diagnoses/infections
6,402 newly diagnosed
Majority are heterosexual men/women, esp. minoritised groups; 54% are Black African
Accessing HIV care
107,949
See above; 32,983 Black African people accessed care
Black African people (new cases)
3,046 newly diagnosed (54% of all new diagnoses)
Includes those previously diagnosed abroad
Black African people (in care)
32,983
30% of all accessing care
Men who have sex with men (MSM)
1,377 newly diagnosed
33% of MSM diagnoses are ethnic minorities
Trans people (England only)
9 newly diagnosed; 232 accessed care
Data since 2017
Late diagnosis
1,136 (34.5% of those tested) diagnosed late
Wales highest rate; more common in older people & people who inject drugs
PrEP (England only)
96,562 initiated/continued PrEP (87% of identified need)
73.9% are white gay/bisexual/MSM; 3.1% are women
HIV testing
Increased for MSM; below 2019 levels for heterosexual men/women*
Online testing growing; opt-out testing expanded
2023 (*2019-2023) data courtesy of the National AIDS Trust
Global HIV Statistics: A Snapshot
Based on UNAIDS data for 2024, here are the key global HIV statistics:
Current Global Status
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People Living with HIV: 40.8 million people globally
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This includes 1.4 million children (ages 0-14).
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New Infections: 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2024.
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AIDS-Related Deaths: 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2024.
Progress & Remaining Challenges
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Treatment Access: 31.6 million people were on antiretroviral therapy, a significant increase from 7.7 million in 2010. However, this is still short of the 2025 target.
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Progress Against the Epidemic: Since their respective peaks, new HIV infections have been reduced by 61% (since 1996) and AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 70% (since 2004).
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Disparities in Treatment: While 83% of women on treatment, only 73% of men have access.
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Key Populations: The HIV prevalence is significantly higher among marginalized groups, including gay men, sex workers, and people who inject drugs.
Financial Outlook
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Funding for the AIDS response is at US$18.7 billion, which is 17% short of the US$21.9 billion needed annually to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
East and Southern Africa report
A Look at the HIV Response in Eastern and Southern Africa: UNAIDS 2025 Update
The latest UNAIDS report shows a mix of progress and peril in Eastern and Southern Africa, the region most affected by the HIV pandemic.
Significant Progress:
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New Infections: The region has seen a 56% decrease in new HIV infections since 2010.
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AIDS-Related Deaths: There has been a 59% decrease in AIDS-related deaths since 2010.
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Treatment Cascade: The region is making strong progress towards the 95-95-95 targets. In 2024, 93% of people living with HIV knew their status, 84% of those were on treatment, and 80% had a suppressed viral load.
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Children: The number of new HIV infections in children has decreased by 71% since 2010.
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Life Expectancy: Antiretroviral therapy has helped life expectancy rebound from 56.5 years in 2010 to 62.3 years in 2024 in sub-Saharan Africa.
Current Challenges:
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Despite these successes, progress is at risk of being reversed due to recent funding disruptions.
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In 2024, Eastern and Southern Africa accounted for 52% of the global HIV burden.
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A significant portion of the global unmet need for HIV treatment—half of the 9.2 million people globally—is in this region.
While tremendous progress has been made, continued support and a new, more sustainable approach are crucial to avoid losing the gains of the last decade.