The global distribution of individuals living with HIV in 2024 reveals a stark regional disparity.
Eastern and southern Africa account for the highest proportion, with 52% of the total, amounting to 21.1 million people.
Following this is the Asia and Pacific region, which harbours 17% of the population living with HIV, totalling 6.9 million individuals.
Western and central Africa represent 13%, or 5.2 million people, while Latin America accounts for 6%, equivalent to 2.5 million.
Western and central Europe and North America together comprise 6%, totalling 2.4 million people.
Eastern Europe and Central Asia have 5%, with 2.1 million individuals.
The Middle East and North Africa have a significantly lower percentage at 0.6%, or 240,000 people, and the Caribbean accounts for the smallest share at 1%, which is also 240,000 people.
These statistics, sourced from the UNAIDS Global AIDS update 2025, underscore the continued concentration of the HIV epidemic in specific regions worldwide.
by WILLIAM WANYOIKE
