AIDS IN AFRICA

Facts, figures and background information on the epidemic

The AIDS epidemic in Africa: A crisis we can help end

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the greatest health and development challenges of our time. Despite decades of progress, this region still bears the greatest burden: nearly two-thirds of all people living with HIV globally are in sub-Saharan Africa.

The impact of HIV goes beyond health—it tears apart families, weakens communities, and threatens the future of children who lose their parents to AIDS-related illnesses. But this is not just a story of suffering. Thanks to global solidarity, life-saving treatment, and the resilience of local communities, there is progress—and with your help, we can accelerate it.

Photo: Sylvain Cherkaoui

AIDS in Africa: The latest numbers (2024)

  • 39 million people globally are living with HIV.

  • 20.8 million of them are in eastern and southern Africa alone.

  • 1.5 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2023, with 59% of new infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

  • 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide in 2023.

  • As of 2023, 76% of all people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, that still leaves over 9 million without the treatment they need.

Despite medical advances and global commitments, persistent inequalities, underfunded health systems, and stigma continue to hinder progress.

Countries most affected

Sub-Saharan Africa is not a monolith—progress and challenges vary by country. South Africa remains the most affected, with over 7.5 million people living with HIV. Other countries with high prevalence rates include Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia.

In some countries, adolescent girls and young women (ages 15–24) account for over 80% of new infections in their age group. This is driven by a combination of factors—gender inequality, lack of access to sexual and reproductive health education, and gender-based violence.

 

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The children left behind

Across sub-Saharan Africa, over 9 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Many children step into adult roles far too early—caring for siblings, managing households, or dropping out of school to find work.

Organizations like SOS Children’s Villages are stepping in to ensure these children aren’t left behind. By supporting community-based care, education, and family reunification, we provide children with the security, love, and opportunity they deserve.

Learn more facts about children and AIDS.

The mother died of AIDS, now the grandmother takes care of the orphaned granddaughter: The family aid of the SOS Children's Villages in Bangui, Central Africa - Photo: Sylvain Cherkaoui

Root causes: Why HIV  persists in Africa

The epidemic’s persistence is rooted in structural injustice—not individual failure. Key factors include:

  • Poverty: Over 40% of people in sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $2.15/day. Economic hardship limits access to prevention, testing, and treatment.

  • Health system gaps: While ART access has expanded, health infrastructure remains fragile. Many clinics are under-resourced, and rural communities often lack consistent access to care.

  • Gender inequality and violence: HIV thrives in environments where women and girls lack agency over their bodies and futures. High rates of gender-based violence and child marriage increase the risk of HIV infection.

  • Stigma and misinformation: Many still avoid testing or treatment due to fear of being ostracized. Silence around HIV enables its spread.

  • Education gaps: Inadequate comprehensive sex education and misinformation leave many young people unaware of how to protect themselves or their partners.

Progress: A decade of hope

Despite these challenges, we’ve seen real momentum:

  • Since 2010, new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa have dropped by 57%.

  • AIDS-related deaths in the region fell by 64% over the same period.

  • Mother-to-child transmission rates have been reduced dramatically in countries like Botswana, which recently reached near elimination status.

  • The global community has now adopted the 95-95-95 targets for 2025:

    • 95% of people living with HIV know their status

    • 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment

    • 95% of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads

Several countries are already approaching or meeting these ambitious goals. But to reach every last mile, we must scale up resources, confront stigma, and empower communities.

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You can help end AIDS

The path to ending AIDS is not just paved with medicine—it’s built on compassion, justice, and partnership. When you support our work, you’re not just funding treatment—you’re helping children stay in school, empowering women to protect themselves, and ensuring no one is left behind.

At SOS Children’s Villages, we’re committed to building brighter futures for children affected by HIV and AIDS. With your support, we provide:

  • Family-based care and community support for orphaned and vulnerable children

  • Access to health care, nutrition, and psychosocial support

  • Education, life skills, and economic empowerment programs

  • Advocacy for the rights of children living with or affected by HIV

Together, we can transform the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic in Africa—from a story of despair to one of dignity, strength and shared hope.
 

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