HIV/AIDS
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to half of all new HIV infections globally and 61% of AIDS-related deaths. 630,000 people died from AIDS-related causes in 2024.
↓ Declining ↑ At risk of reversal post-PEPFAR
Burden
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to about half of all new HIV infections globally and 61% of AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS estimates 21.1 million people living with HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa alone in 2024, with 490,000 new infections. Globally, 630,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred in 2024.
Sub-Regional Pattern
Eswatini has the world’s highest prevalence (~26%); South Africa has the largest absolute population living with HIV (~7.8 million); Mozambique ~2.5 million. Seven countries have achieved the 95-95-95 targets.
Trend
Declining — new infections fell 56% in sub-Saharan Africa since 2010, AIDS-related deaths by 50–58%. But the 2025 funding collapse threatens reversal. UNAIDS modelling: if PEPFAR-supported services collapse, an additional 6.6 million new HIV infections and almost 4.2 million AIDS-related deaths could occur between 2025 and 2029.
Affected Populations
Adolescent girls and young women (15–24) — 3,300 new infections per week in sub-Saharan Africa. Women and girls represent 63% of new infections.
“Every week, 4,000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 acquired HIV in 2024 — 3,300 in sub-Saharan Africa.”UNAIDS, 2025
“6.6 million additional new HIV infections and almost 4.2 million additional AIDS-related deaths could occur between 2025 and 2029 if U.S.-supported services collapse.”UNAIDS