In the US, 85% of gay and bisexual men with HIV knew their status in 2021. Viral suppression lagged far behind, with only 64% of Black MSM with HIV suppressed, linked to late diagnosis. Across settings, the UK reported 92% of new MSM HIV diagnoses as late stage, while San Francisco recorded a median CD4 of 432 at diagnosis.
Key Takeaways
- 85% of gay and bisexual men with HIV in the US knew their status in 2021
- Only 64% of Black MSM with HIV were virally suppressed in 2021 US data, linked to late diagnosis
- In the UK, 92% of MSM HIV diagnoses were late-stage in 2021 among new cases
- In 2021, new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men in the US totaled 24,733, a rate of 428 per 100,000
- Globally, MSM accounted for 29% of new HIV infections in 2022, estimated 380,000 cases
- In the US, incidence rate for Black/African American MSM was 1,097 per 100,000 in 2021
- In the United States, gay and bisexual men accounted for 67% of all new HIV diagnoses in 2021, despite comprising about 2% of the population
- Globally, in 2022, an estimated 1.3 million gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) were living with HIV, representing 22% of all people with HIV worldwide
- In the US, the prevalence of HIV among Black gay and bisexual men aged 13-24 was 1 in 58 in 2019
- 41% of US MSM used PrEP in past year 2021
- Globally, PrEP coverage among MSM at risk 15% in 2022
- Condomless anal sex reported by 42% of US MSM in 2021 surveys
- 64% of US MSM with HIV achieved viral suppression in 2021
- Globally, 76% of MSM with diagnosed HIV on ART in 2022
- Black MSM viral suppression rate 55% in US 2021
Earlier testing and viral suppression protect gay and bisexual men, but gaps in diagnosis persist worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Diagnosis and Testing26 stats
01
85% of gay and bisexual men with HIV in the US knew their status in 2021
02
Only 64% of Black MSM with HIV were virally suppressed in 2021 US data, linked to late diagnosis
03
In the UK, 92% of MSM HIV diagnoses were late-stage in 2021 among new cases
04
In Australia, 95% of MSM with HIV diagnosed by 2021 due to high testing rates
05
In San Francisco, median CD4 at diagnosis for MSM HIV was 432 in 2019, indicating earlier detection
06
In EU/EEA, 47% of MSM HIV diagnoses were late (CD4<350) in 2022
07
In Brazil, 70% of MSM HIV cases diagnosed within 3 months of infection 2021
08
In South Africa, only 55% of MSM knew HIV status in 2020 surveys
09
In Canada, testing coverage among MSM reached 60% annually in 2018
10
71% of Hispanic MSM with HIV diagnosed in US 2021
11
In London, 7% of MSM HIV cases undiagnosed in 2021 clinic networks
12
In China, HIV testing among MSM was 78% lifetime by 2022
13
In India, only 42% of MSM tested for HIV in past year per NACO 2021
14
In Netherlands, 89% diagnosis coverage for MSM HIV 2020
15
In NYC, 90% of MSM with HIV aware of status 2019
16
In France, late diagnosis in 38% of MSM HIV cases 2021
17
In Russia, HIV testing uptake among MSM 45% in 2020
18
In Thailand, 82% of MSM tested HIV negative confirmed 2022
19
Home HIV testing increased diagnosis by 20% among US MSM 2014-2019
20
In Western Europe, undiagnosed MSM HIV fraction 12% in 2022
21
In Mexico, 65% MSM HIV diagnosis rate 2021
22
In Peru, testing coverage 58% among gay men 2020
23
In Vietnam, 70% MSM annual HIV testing 2022
24
Routine screening reduced late diagnoses by 30% in US MSM clinics 2021
25
In Berlin, 94% MSM HIV diagnosis coverage 2021
26
In Kenya, only 40% MSM tested recently for HIV 2020
Interpretation
Diagnosis and Testing Interpretation
This global patchwork of statistics reveals a frustrating truth: we've built the tools to end HIV, yet our progress is wildly uneven because testing, like a good party invitation, isn't reaching everyone who needs it.
02 · Category
Incidence28 stats
01
In 2021, new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men in the US totaled 24,733, a rate of 428 per 100,000
02
Globally, MSM accounted for 29% of new HIV infections in 2022, estimated 380,000 cases
03
In the US, incidence rate for Black/African American MSM was 1,097 per 100,000 in 2021
04
In the UK, new HIV diagnoses among MSM fell 29% from 2015 to 2021, to 1,039 cases
05
In Australia, HIV incidence among MSM was 17.5 per 1,000 in 2021
06
In San Francisco, HIV incidence among MSM declined to 0.9% annually in 2019
07
In the EU/EEA, 26,000 new HIV cases among MSM in 2022, 42% of total
08
In Brazil, HIV incidence among MSM was 2.1% per year in 2021 cohorts
09
In South Africa, HIV incidence among MSM was 3.8% annually in 2020
10
In Canada, new HIV infections among MSM were 18% of total in 2018
11
In the US, HIV incidence among white MSM was 194 per 100,000 in 2021
12
Among Hispanic MSM in US, incidence was 614 per 100,000 population in 2021
13
In London, HIV incidence among MSM was 1.2% in 2021 clinic data
14
In China, HIV incidence among MSM was 2.5% per year in 2022
15
In India, new HIV infections among MSM totaled 12,000 in 2021 NACO
16
In the Netherlands, HIV incidence among MSM declined 50% since 2008 to 0.8% in 2020
17
In NYC, HIV incidence among MSM was 1.5% in 2019
18
In France, 2,200 new MSM HIV diagnoses in 2021
19
In Russia, HIV incidence among MSM estimated 3.2% annually 2020
20
In Thailand, HIV incidence among MSM 2.8% in 2022 surveys
21
In the US, PrEP prevented an estimated 91,000 infections among MSM 2014-2019
22
In Western Europe, MSM HIV incidence stable at 5-10% of new cases
23
In Mexico, HIV incidence among MSM 3.1% per year 2021
24
In Peru, HIV incidence 4.2% among gay men in 2020
25
In Vietnam, new HIV cases among MSM 25% of total 2022
26
In US South, MSM HIV incidence rate 50% higher than national average 2021
27
In Berlin, HIV incidence among MSM 1.8% in 2021
28
In Kenya, MSM HIV incidence 5.1% urban 2020
Interpretation
Incidence Interpretation
While a global roadmap shows powerful tools like PrEP are helping some communities dramatically turn the tide, the stark and stubbornly high infection rates—particularly among men of color—tell a story where inequity, not just epidemiology, remains the most dangerous co-infection.
03 · Category
Prevalence29 stats
01
In the United States, gay and bisexual men accounted for 67% of all new HIV diagnoses in 2021, despite comprising about 2% of the population
02
Globally, in 2022, an estimated 1.3 million gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) were living with HIV, representing 22% of all people with HIV worldwide
03
In the US, the prevalence of HIV among Black gay and bisexual men aged 13-24 was 1 in 58 in 2019
04
Among white gay men in the UK, HIV prevalence was 7.1% in 2020 surveys
05
In Australia, HIV prevalence among MSM was estimated at 6.5% in 2021
06
In San Francisco, HIV prevalence among MSM was 28% in 2019 behavioral surveys
07
In Europe, HIV prevalence among MSM ranged from 5-15% across major cities in 2022 ECDC data
08
In Brazil, HIV prevalence among gay men was 10.5% in 2021 respondent-driven sampling
09
In South Africa, HIV prevalence among MSM was 15.6% in urban areas per 2020 studies
10
In Canada, HIV prevalence among MSM was 8.3% nationally in 2018
11
In the US, lifetime HIV risk for gay and bisexual men is 1 in 6 overall
12
Among Hispanic gay men in the US, HIV prevalence was 18% in 2020 estimates
13
In London, UK, HIV prevalence among MSM attending clinics was 12.4% in 2021
14
In China, HIV prevalence among MSM in major cities reached 9.8% in 2022
15
In India, HIV prevalence among MSM was 7.4% in high-risk groups per NACO 2021
16
In the Netherlands, HIV prevalence among MSM was 10.2% in 2020 cohort studies
17
In New York City, HIV prevalence among MSM was 19% in 2019 surveillance
18
In France, HIV prevalence among MSM was 13% in 2021 ANRS surveys
19
In Russia, HIV prevalence among MSM was estimated at 12.5% in 2020
20
In Thailand, HIV prevalence among MSM was 11.6% in 2022 behavioral surveillance
21
In the US, gay and bisexual men represent 69% of people living with HIV diagnosed and undiagnosed in 2021
22
In Western Europe, HIV prevalence among MSM averaged 8-10% in 2022
23
In Mexico, HIV prevalence among MSM was 13.4% in 2021 national survey
24
In Peru, HIV prevalence among gay men reached 14.2% in Lima per 2020 studies
25
In Vietnam, HIV prevalence among MSM was 8.7% in 2022
26
In the US South, HIV prevalence among MSM was 22% in Black communities 2021
27
In Berlin, Germany, HIV prevalence among MSM was 15.8% in 2021
28
In Kenya, HIV prevalence among MSM was 18.2% urban estimate 2020
29
In the US, undiagnosed HIV prevalence among MSM is 13% per 2021 CDC
Interpretation
Prevalence Interpretation
These statistics are not a series of disconnected numbers but a damning global indictment, revealing a virus that, with chilling precision, has mapped itself onto the fault lines of sexuality, race, and geography, creating a pandemic within a pandemic that the world has too often met with a shrug.
More related reading
04 · Category
Prevention and Risk Behaviors27 stats
01
41% of US MSM used PrEP in past year 2021
02
Globally, PrEP coverage among MSM at risk 15% in 2022
03
Condomless anal sex reported by 42% of US MSM in 2021 surveys
04
UK MSM PrEP use rose to 25% among high-risk 2021
05
Australia 35% MSM on PrEP 2021
06
San Francisco 60% MSM PrEP coverage 2019
07
EU MSM condom use 50% consistent in partnerships 2022
08
Brazil MSM group sex 30% increased risk behavior 2021
09
South Africa MSM multiple partners 65% 2020
10
Canada MSM chemsex use 20% linked to risk 2018
11
25% US Black MSM used PrEP 2021
12
London MSM serodiscordant condomless 18% 2021
13
China MSM app-based partner seeking 70% 2022
14
India MSM paid sex 15% risk factor NACO 2021
15
Netherlands DAA chemsex 25% MSM 2020
16
NYC MSM PrEP 45% 2019
17
France MSM barebacking 35% reported 2021
18
Russia MSM alcohol/drug use sex 40% 2020
19
Thailand MSM tourism sex 22% 2022
20
PEP use after exposure 15% US MSM 2021
21
Western Europe MSM geosocial apps 55% 2022
22
Mexico MSM receptive anal 50% risk 2021
23
Peru MSM network density high 60% 2020
24
Vietnam MSM migrant workers 30% mobile risk 2022
25
Circuit parties MSM STI/HIV risk 25% US 2021
26
Berlin MSM PrEP 40% 2021
27
Kenya MSM bisexual concurrency 45% 2020
Interpretation
Prevention and Risk Behaviors Interpretation
The global patchwork of PrEP use and sexual behaviors reveals a precarious truth: while biomedical prevention tools have become more accessible in some fortunate pockets, vast disparities persist, leaving many communities vulnerable to HIV through a complex web of socioeconomic barriers, stigma, and evolving sexual practices.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marcus Afolabi. (2026, February 13). Gay Men Hiv Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gay-men-hiv-statistics
MLA
Marcus Afolabi. "Gay Men Hiv Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/gay-men-hiv-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Afolabi. 2026. "Gay Men Hiv Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gay-men-hiv-statistics.
Sources & references
20 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level