GITNUXREPORT 2026

Women Hiv Statistics

Despite global progress, women still bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic worldwide.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

In 2022, women and girls accounted for 53.3% of all people living with HIV globally, totaling approximately 20.5 million women

Statistic 2

Globally, adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 comprised 75% of new HIV infections among adolescents in 2022

Statistic 3

In sub-Saharan Africa, women represent 63% of adults living with HIV, with prevalence rates up to 25% in some countries like Eswatini

Statistic 4

In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, new HIV diagnoses among women increased by 28% from 2010 to 2022

Statistic 5

In Latin America, women accounted for 32% of new HIV infections in 2022, with Brazil reporting 45,000 women living with HIV

Statistic 6

In Western and Central Africa, HIV prevalence among women aged 15-49 is 1.8%, twice that of men at 0.9%

Statistic 7

In South Asia, women represent 40% of people living with HIV, with India having over 300,000 women affected

Statistic 8

In 2021, 1.3 million women aged 15+ became newly infected with HIV globally

Statistic 9

Eastern and Southern Africa saw 670,000 new HIV infections among women in 2022

Statistic 10

In the US, women accounted for 18% of new HIV diagnoses in 2021, with Black women at 50% of those cases

Statistic 11

Globally, 620,000 women died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2022

Statistic 12

In Middle East and North Africa, HIV prevalence among women is 0.2%, but rising among key populations

Statistic 13

In 2022, 10.1 million women in Eastern and Southern Africa were living with HIV

Statistic 14

Caribbean women have HIV prevalence of 1.5%, higher than men in some islands like Haiti at 2.1%

Statistic 15

In Western Europe, migrant women from high-prevalence areas account for 40% of female HIV cases

Statistic 16

Globally, women aged 25-34 have the highest HIV prevalence at 1.4%

Statistic 17

In South Africa, 4.6 million women live with HIV, representing 60% of total cases

Statistic 18

In Nigeria, 1.1 million women aged 15-49 have HIV, prevalence 1.6%

Statistic 19

In Zimbabwe, women comprise 55% of PLHIV, with 870,000 affected

Statistic 20

In Kenya, HIV prevalence among women is 4.5% vs 3.3% for men

Statistic 21

Globally, vertical transmission accounts for 8% of new pediatric HIV cases from mother-to-child

Statistic 22

In India, 40% of HIV-positive pregnant women transmit to infants without intervention

Statistic 23

In Uganda, 140,000 women living with HIV gave birth in 2022

Statistic 24

In Mozambique, women aged 15-24 have 5x higher HIV incidence than men

Statistic 25

In Malawi, 10.8% of women aged 15-49 are HIV-positive

Statistic 26

In Botswana, 25% of women aged 15-49 live with HIV

Statistic 27

In Namibia, women account for 58% of PLHIV, total 170,000 women

Statistic 28

In Zambia, HIV prevalence in women is 11.1%

Statistic 29

In Lesotho, 23.5% of women aged 15-49 have HIV, highest globally

Statistic 30

Globally, PrEP uptake among women is only 5% despite 30% eligibility

Statistic 31

Mother-to-child transmission reduced to <5% with ART prophylaxis in 90% coverage areas

Statistic 32

Female condoms prevent 94% of HIV transmission in trials

Statistic 33

Dapivirine vaginal ring reduces HIV risk by 35% in women aged 25+

Statistic 34

Voluntary medical male circumcision reduces heterosexual transmission to women by 60%

Statistic 35

PMTCT Option B+ prevents 75% of new child infections globally

Statistic 36

HIV self-testing kits increase testing by 40% among women in low-resource settings

Statistic 37

Microbicide gels like tenofovir reduce risk by 39% in high-adherence groups

Statistic 38

Condom promotion programs reduce HIV incidence by 20% in women

Statistic 39

PrEP for serodiscordant couples prevents 96% of transmissions to women

Statistic 40

HPV vaccination reduces cervical cancer risk in HIV+ women by 80%

Statistic 41

Community-based DREAMS program reduced new infections in AGYW by 25%

Statistic 42

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours prevents 80% HIV acquisition in women

Statistic 43

Treatment as prevention (TasP) reduces community transmission by 50% when 70% virally suppressed

Statistic 44

Dual HIV/syphilis testing in ANC reaches 80% of pregnant women in some countries

Statistic 45

Long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) prevents 89% of infections vs oral PrEP in women

Statistic 46

Education on U=U reduces stigma, increasing testing by 30% among women

Statistic 47

Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) in trials show 50% adherence boost

Statistic 48

Screen-and-treat for cervical dysplasia prevents HIV progression complications

Statistic 49

Partner notification services increase partner testing by 60% for female index cases

Statistic 50

Globally, only 48% of HIV+ pregnant women access ART for PMTCT

Statistic 51

In South Africa, DREAMS reached 1.5 million AGYW, averting 50,000 infections

Statistic 52

VMMC coverage at 60% reduces female incidence by 30% in modeled scenarios

Statistic 53

Female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa have HIV prevalence of 36.5%

Statistic 54

Women in serodiscordant couples have 10% annual HIV acquisition risk without PrEP

Statistic 55

Intimate partner violence increases HIV risk in women by 1.5 times globally

Statistic 56

Women with bacterial vaginosis have 60% higher HIV acquisition risk

Statistic 57

HSV-2 infection doubles HIV risk in women, prevalence 50% in high-HIV areas

Statistic 58

Unprotected vaginal sex transmits HIV from man to woman at 0.08% per act

Statistic 59

Women using hormonal contraceptives have 20-50% increased HIV risk in some studies

Statistic 60

Early sexual debut before 15 increases lifetime HIV risk by 3x for women

Statistic 61

Women with multiple partners have 4x higher HIV incidence

Statistic 62

Low socioeconomic status correlates with 2.5x HIV prevalence in women

Statistic 63

Alcohol use during sex increases HIV risk by 50% in women

Statistic 64

Women with untreated STIs have 4-fold HIV transmission risk

Statistic 65

Postpartum women have 2x higher HIV acquisition risk due to immune changes

Statistic 66

In discordant couples, female condom reduces HIV risk by 94%

Statistic 67

Women engaging in transactional sex have HIV prevalence 10x general population

Statistic 68

Cervical ectopy increases HIV susceptibility by 2.5x in young women

Statistic 69

Malnutrition weakens vaginal mucosa, raising HIV risk by 30%

Statistic 70

Women with FGM type III have 50% higher HIV risk

Statistic 71

Smoking tobacco alters vaginal microbiome, increasing HIV risk 1.5x

Statistic 72

Pregnant women have thinned vaginal epithelium, 2x HIV risk

Statistic 73

Women with diabetes have impaired immunity, 1.8x HIV prevalence

Statistic 74

Lack of male circumcision increases HIV transmission to women by 60%

Statistic 75

High viral load in partners (>50,000 copies/ml) raises per-act risk to 0.2%

Statistic 76

Women in polygamous marriages have 3x HIV risk

Statistic 77

Oral contraceptive use with DMPA doubles HIV risk in observational data

Statistic 78

Women living with HIV lose 25.5 million healthy years annually due to disability

Statistic 79

HIV+ women face 40% higher unemployment rates globally

Statistic 80

In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV orphans 15 million children, mostly motherless

Statistic 81

Women with HIV spend 2x more on healthcare, impoverishing 10% of households

Statistic 82

Gender-based violence affects 45% of HIV+ women, exacerbating poverty

Statistic 83

HIV reduces women's life expectancy by 10 years in high-prevalence areas

Statistic 84

In US, HIV+ women have 50% higher poverty rates at 25%

Statistic 85

Widow inheritance practices increase HIV spread, affecting 20% women in rural Kenya

Statistic 86

HIV+ mothers contribute to 30% school dropout among girls due to caregiving

Statistic 87

Economic cost of HIV in women totals $100 billion annually in lost productivity

Statistic 88

Stigma leads to 35% job discrimination against HIV+ women

Statistic 89

In South Africa, HIV+ women households 2x likely to be food insecure

Statistic 90

Mental health disorders affect 60% of HIV+ women, reducing workforce participation

Statistic 91

Property disinheritance affects 25% HIV+ widows in sub-Saharan Africa

Statistic 92

HIV care burdens women with 70% of unpaid caregiving time

Statistic 93

In India, HIV+ women face 30% divorce rate post-diagnosis

Statistic 94

Global AIDS fund invests $2 billion yearly, but women programs only 20%

Statistic 95

In 2022, 82% of women living with HIV knew their status globally

Statistic 96

Only 65% of diagnosed women are on ART worldwide

Statistic 97

Viral suppression among women on ART is 88%, slightly lower than men at 90%

Statistic 98

In low-income countries, women face 20% stockouts of ARVs annually

Statistic 99

Pregnant women on ART have 95% PMTCT success if started early

Statistic 100

In US, Black women have lowest ART retention at 70% after 1 year

Statistic 101

Globally, 75% of women on ART are virally suppressed

Statistic 102

Adolescent girls on ART have 50% higher loss to follow-up than adults

Statistic 103

In sub-Saharan Africa, 85% of HIV+ women access ANC testing, but only 70% start ART

Statistic 104

Long-acting injectables like CAB-LA improve adherence to 90% in women trials

Statistic 105

Stigma causes 30% dropout from care among newly diagnosed women

Statistic 106

In Eastern Europe, only 55% of women on ART achieve viral suppression

Statistic 107

Differentiated service delivery retains 85% of stable women in community models

Statistic 108

In India, 80% of HIV+ women on ART, but TB co-infection reduces suppression to 70%

Statistic 109

Multi-month dispensing increases retention by 25% for women

Statistic 110

Only 40% of women with HIV/hepatitis C co-infection access DAAs

Statistic 111

In Brazil, 95% of diagnosed women on ART with 92% suppression

Statistic 112

Transportation barriers prevent 25% of rural women from ART adherence

Statistic 113

Peer support programs boost viral suppression to 95% in women groups

Statistic 114

In Nigeria, only 62% of HIV+ women on ART

1/114

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

While women represent over half of the global HIV community, their unique battles and vulnerabilities paint a stark picture of a crisis where gender inequality fuels infection, as evidenced by the staggering statistic that adolescent girls and young women accounted for 75% of new HIV infections among their peers last year alone.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, women and girls accounted for 53.3% of all people living with HIV globally, totaling approximately 20.5 million women
Globally, adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 comprised 75% of new HIV infections among adolescents in 2022
In sub-Saharan Africa, women represent 63% of adults living with HIV, with prevalence rates up to 25% in some countries like Eswatini
Female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa have HIV prevalence of 36.5%
Women in serodiscordant couples have 10% annual HIV acquisition risk without PrEP
Intimate partner violence increases HIV risk in women by 1.5 times globally
Globally, PrEP uptake among women is only 5% despite 30% eligibility
Mother-to-child transmission reduced to <5% with ART prophylaxis in 90% coverage areas
Female condoms prevent 94% of HIV transmission in trials
In 2022, 82% of women living with HIV knew their status globally
Only 65% of diagnosed women are on ART worldwide
Viral suppression among women on ART is 88%, slightly lower than men at 90%
Women living with HIV lose 25.5 million healthy years annually due to disability
HIV+ women face 40% higher unemployment rates globally
In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV orphans 15 million children, mostly motherless

Despite global progress, women still bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic worldwide.

Epidemiology

In 2022, women and girls accounted for 53.3% of all people living with HIV globally, totaling approximately 20.5 million women
Globally, adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 comprised 75% of new HIV infections among adolescents in 2022
In sub-Saharan Africa, women represent 63% of adults living with HIV, with prevalence rates up to 25% in some countries like Eswatini
In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, new HIV diagnoses among women increased by 28% from 2010 to 2022
In Latin America, women accounted for 32% of new HIV infections in 2022, with Brazil reporting 45,000 women living with HIV
In Western and Central Africa, HIV prevalence among women aged 15-49 is 1.8%, twice that of men at 0.9%
In South Asia, women represent 40% of people living with HIV, with India having over 300,000 women affected
In 2021, 1.3 million women aged 15+ became newly infected with HIV globally
Eastern and Southern Africa saw 670,000 new HIV infections among women in 2022
In the US, women accounted for 18% of new HIV diagnoses in 2021, with Black women at 50% of those cases
Globally, 620,000 women died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2022
In Middle East and North Africa, HIV prevalence among women is 0.2%, but rising among key populations
In 2022, 10.1 million women in Eastern and Southern Africa were living with HIV
Caribbean women have HIV prevalence of 1.5%, higher than men in some islands like Haiti at 2.1%
In Western Europe, migrant women from high-prevalence areas account for 40% of female HIV cases
Globally, women aged 25-34 have the highest HIV prevalence at 1.4%
In South Africa, 4.6 million women live with HIV, representing 60% of total cases
In Nigeria, 1.1 million women aged 15-49 have HIV, prevalence 1.6%
In Zimbabwe, women comprise 55% of PLHIV, with 870,000 affected
In Kenya, HIV prevalence among women is 4.5% vs 3.3% for men
Globally, vertical transmission accounts for 8% of new pediatric HIV cases from mother-to-child
In India, 40% of HIV-positive pregnant women transmit to infants without intervention
In Uganda, 140,000 women living with HIV gave birth in 2022
In Mozambique, women aged 15-24 have 5x higher HIV incidence than men
In Malawi, 10.8% of women aged 15-49 are HIV-positive
In Botswana, 25% of women aged 15-49 live with HIV
In Namibia, women account for 58% of PLHIV, total 170,000 women
In Zambia, HIV prevalence in women is 11.1%
In Lesotho, 23.5% of women aged 15-49 have HIV, highest globally

Epidemiology Interpretation

These sobering statistics reveal a global epidemic where being born female often means bearing the disproportionate and deadly weight of HIV, a burden fueled by inequality, not biology.

Prevention

Globally, PrEP uptake among women is only 5% despite 30% eligibility
Mother-to-child transmission reduced to <5% with ART prophylaxis in 90% coverage areas
Female condoms prevent 94% of HIV transmission in trials
Dapivirine vaginal ring reduces HIV risk by 35% in women aged 25+
Voluntary medical male circumcision reduces heterosexual transmission to women by 60%
PMTCT Option B+ prevents 75% of new child infections globally
HIV self-testing kits increase testing by 40% among women in low-resource settings
Microbicide gels like tenofovir reduce risk by 39% in high-adherence groups
Condom promotion programs reduce HIV incidence by 20% in women
PrEP for serodiscordant couples prevents 96% of transmissions to women
HPV vaccination reduces cervical cancer risk in HIV+ women by 80%
Community-based DREAMS program reduced new infections in AGYW by 25%
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours prevents 80% HIV acquisition in women
Treatment as prevention (TasP) reduces community transmission by 50% when 70% virally suppressed
Dual HIV/syphilis testing in ANC reaches 80% of pregnant women in some countries
Long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) prevents 89% of infections vs oral PrEP in women
Education on U=U reduces stigma, increasing testing by 30% among women
Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) in trials show 50% adherence boost
Screen-and-treat for cervical dysplasia prevents HIV progression complications
Partner notification services increase partner testing by 60% for female index cases
Globally, only 48% of HIV+ pregnant women access ART for PMTCT
In South Africa, DREAMS reached 1.5 million AGYW, averting 50,000 infections
VMMC coverage at 60% reduces female incidence by 30% in modeled scenarios

Prevention Interpretation

We possess an impressive and growing arsenal to protect women from HIV, yet the sobering reality is that our failure to bridge the gap between what works in trials and what reaches women in their daily lives remains our greatest vulnerability.

Risk Factors

Female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa have HIV prevalence of 36.5%
Women in serodiscordant couples have 10% annual HIV acquisition risk without PrEP
Intimate partner violence increases HIV risk in women by 1.5 times globally
Women with bacterial vaginosis have 60% higher HIV acquisition risk
HSV-2 infection doubles HIV risk in women, prevalence 50% in high-HIV areas
Unprotected vaginal sex transmits HIV from man to woman at 0.08% per act
Women using hormonal contraceptives have 20-50% increased HIV risk in some studies
Early sexual debut before 15 increases lifetime HIV risk by 3x for women
Women with multiple partners have 4x higher HIV incidence
Low socioeconomic status correlates with 2.5x HIV prevalence in women
Alcohol use during sex increases HIV risk by 50% in women
Women with untreated STIs have 4-fold HIV transmission risk
Postpartum women have 2x higher HIV acquisition risk due to immune changes
In discordant couples, female condom reduces HIV risk by 94%
Women engaging in transactional sex have HIV prevalence 10x general population
Cervical ectopy increases HIV susceptibility by 2.5x in young women
Malnutrition weakens vaginal mucosa, raising HIV risk by 30%
Women with FGM type III have 50% higher HIV risk
Smoking tobacco alters vaginal microbiome, increasing HIV risk 1.5x
Pregnant women have thinned vaginal epithelium, 2x HIV risk
Women with diabetes have impaired immunity, 1.8x HIV prevalence
Lack of male circumcision increases HIV transmission to women by 60%
High viral load in partners (>50,000 copies/ml) raises per-act risk to 0.2%
Women in polygamous marriages have 3x HIV risk
Oral contraceptive use with DMPA doubles HIV risk in observational data

Risk Factors Interpretation

The relentless litany of statistics lays bare a brutal truth: for women across the globe, the architecture of their daily lives—from biology and poverty to violence and policy—has been systematically engineered into the single most formidable risk factor for HIV itself.

Socioeconomic Impact

Women living with HIV lose 25.5 million healthy years annually due to disability
HIV+ women face 40% higher unemployment rates globally
In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV orphans 15 million children, mostly motherless
Women with HIV spend 2x more on healthcare, impoverishing 10% of households
Gender-based violence affects 45% of HIV+ women, exacerbating poverty
HIV reduces women's life expectancy by 10 years in high-prevalence areas
In US, HIV+ women have 50% higher poverty rates at 25%
Widow inheritance practices increase HIV spread, affecting 20% women in rural Kenya
HIV+ mothers contribute to 30% school dropout among girls due to caregiving
Economic cost of HIV in women totals $100 billion annually in lost productivity
Stigma leads to 35% job discrimination against HIV+ women
In South Africa, HIV+ women households 2x likely to be food insecure
Mental health disorders affect 60% of HIV+ women, reducing workforce participation
Property disinheritance affects 25% HIV+ widows in sub-Saharan Africa
HIV care burdens women with 70% of unpaid caregiving time
In India, HIV+ women face 30% divorce rate post-diagnosis
Global AIDS fund invests $2 billion yearly, but women programs only 20%

Socioeconomic Impact Interpretation

The sheer weight of these statistics reveals HIV not merely as a virus, but as a voracious architect of inequality, systematically dismantling the health, wealth, and futures of women while the world invests a pittance in their defense.

Treatment Access

In 2022, 82% of women living with HIV knew their status globally
Only 65% of diagnosed women are on ART worldwide
Viral suppression among women on ART is 88%, slightly lower than men at 90%
In low-income countries, women face 20% stockouts of ARVs annually
Pregnant women on ART have 95% PMTCT success if started early
In US, Black women have lowest ART retention at 70% after 1 year
Globally, 75% of women on ART are virally suppressed
Adolescent girls on ART have 50% higher loss to follow-up than adults
In sub-Saharan Africa, 85% of HIV+ women access ANC testing, but only 70% start ART
Long-acting injectables like CAB-LA improve adherence to 90% in women trials
Stigma causes 30% dropout from care among newly diagnosed women
In Eastern Europe, only 55% of women on ART achieve viral suppression
Differentiated service delivery retains 85% of stable women in community models
In India, 80% of HIV+ women on ART, but TB co-infection reduces suppression to 70%
Multi-month dispensing increases retention by 25% for women
Only 40% of women with HIV/hepatitis C co-infection access DAAs
In Brazil, 95% of diagnosed women on ART with 92% suppression
Transportation barriers prevent 25% of rural women from ART adherence
Peer support programs boost viral suppression to 95% in women groups
In Nigeria, only 62% of HIV+ women on ART

Treatment Access Interpretation

These statistics show a world where a woman's journey with HIV is a constant, unfair negotiation between her will to survive and the systems that too often fail her—from the drug stockouts in her clinic to the stigma in her community—all while the science to help her not only exists but gets better every year.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev