Here you’ll find the most up-to-date figures on HIV in the UK – covering numbers of people living with HIV, new diagnoses, testing, and the use of PrEP.
Understanding the numbers relating to HIV across the UK is essential as we strive to reach the goal across the country of ending new transmissions of HIV and ending AIDS-related deaths by 2030.
With the right interventions this can become a reality. But these statistics show that right now we are not on track: not enough people are taking an HIV test and the use of PrEP to prevent people from acquiring HIV needs to be higher. Health inequalities are standing in the way of everyone who has the virus being able to have a good quality of life.
Working with our partners, we have set out recommendations for what needs to be prioritised in the next HIV Action Plan for England to end new transmissions of HIV. Read more in Getting on Track.
Number of people living with HIV
107,949 people received HIV care in 2023 in the UK. This is the highest number ever and represents an increase of 27% over the last 10 years.
Half of people receiving HIV care are over 50 years of age, showing that effective treatment is helping people to live longer with HIV. Over a third are women, a proportion that has been growing in the last few years. Half of the people on treatment acquired HIV through heterosexual sex.
People of Black African origin are disproportionally affected by HIV. They represent a third of the people in HIV care, but only represent around 4% of the UK population.
Half of people receiving HIV care are over 50 years of age, showing that effective treatment is helping people to live longer with HIV. Over a third are women, a proportion that has been growing in the last few years. Half of the people on treatment acquired HIV through heterosexual sex.
People of Black African origin are disproportionally affected by HIV. They represent a third of the people in HIV care, but only represent around 4% of the UK population.
We work to ensure people can live well with HIV
A key priority for NAT is to address the key issues that impact people’s ability to have a good quality of life when living with HIV.
Testing
HIV testing overall has increased, with record numbers of tests being taken by gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. However, overall testing numbers are below 2019 levels (before the COVID-19 pandemic) for heterosexual men and heterosexual and bisexual women. The use of online testing continues to grow, and as an easier option than face-to-face appointments, we believe the Department of Health should invest in a year-round online HIV and STI postal testing service.
In 2022, hospitals in London, Manchester, Brighton and Blackpool introduced routine HIV and hepatitis testing in Emergency Departments. This programme was then expanded to dozens of hospitals in England, significantly increasing the number of tests conducted each year
Some people are less likely to attend sexual health services and be offered, and take, an HIV test, particularly people from ethnic minorities and women.
In 2022, hospitals in London, Manchester, Brighton and Blackpool introduced routine HIV and hepatitis testing in Emergency Departments. This programme was then expanded to dozens of hospitals in England, significantly increasing the number of tests conducted each year
Some people are less likely to attend sexual health services and be offered, and take, an HIV test, particularly people from ethnic minorities and women.
Newly diagnosed in 2023
6,402 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK in 2023, an increase compared to 2022. The majority of these diagnoses were for heterosexual men and women, particularly from minoritised groups.
54% of new diagnoses were people of Black African background, showing a continuing lack of equity and equality in HIV prevention and access to health services.
To end new cases by 2030, HIV prevention should be the responsibility of the whole health service. We need to make it easier and simpler for everyone to be able to get an HIV test whether at a sexual health service or through the post. Everyone who could benefit from PrEP should be able to get it much more easily than they can right now – including making it available online.
54% of new diagnoses were people of Black African background, showing a continuing lack of equity and equality in HIV prevention and access to health services.
To end new cases by 2030, HIV prevention should be the responsibility of the whole health service. We need to make it easier and simpler for everyone to be able to get an HIV test whether at a sexual health service or through the post. Everyone who could benefit from PrEP should be able to get it much more easily than they can right now – including making it available online.
We can end new HIV transmissions in the UK
We believe that with ambition, investment and clear direction, we can do it.
Late diagnosis
Someone is considered to have been diagnosed with HIV 'late' if they have a CD4 count below 350 cells/mm³ within three months (91 day) of diagnosis.
People who are diagnosed late will have been living with undiagnosed HIV for around three to five years on average. Late diagnosis increases the risk of ill-health, early death, and onward transmission of HIV.
Late diagnoses are more common in older people and in people who inject drugs. In 2023, Wales registered the highest rate of late diagnosis in the UK.
In 2022, 3,292 individuals diagnosed with HIV had their CD4 count identified within 91 days of diagnosis. 1,136 (34.5%) of these individuals were diagnosed at a late stage of HIV infection.
*CD4 are white cells in the blood essential to fight infections. HIV attacks and destroys CD4 cells. This count shows how HIV has affected the immune system, and how far the virus has progressed.
People who are diagnosed late will have been living with undiagnosed HIV for around three to five years on average. Late diagnosis increases the risk of ill-health, early death, and onward transmission of HIV.
Late diagnoses are more common in older people and in people who inject drugs. In 2023, Wales registered the highest rate of late diagnosis in the UK.
In 2022, 3,292 individuals diagnosed with HIV had their CD4 count identified within 91 days of diagnosis. 1,136 (34.5%) of these individuals were diagnosed at a late stage of HIV infection.
*CD4 are white cells in the blood essential to fight infections. HIV attacks and destroys CD4 cells. This count shows how HIV has affected the immune system, and how far the virus has progressed.
We can't end the HIV epidemic until we put a stop to HIV stigma
HIV stigma must end so that everyone can live their lives free of harm, prejudice and discrimination.
Men who have sex with men (MSM)
We use the term "men who have sex with men" to describe all gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
In 2023, 1,377 men who have sex with men were diagnosed with HIV, a slight increase compared to 2022, but less than half the number from in 2019. This reflects the long-term success of increased HIV testing, uptake of HIV treatment, and the hugely important introduction of the HIV prevention drug PrEP.
266 out of 811 diagnoses among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men were among men from ethnic minority groups, an increase to 33% from 26% in 2019.
In 2023, 1,377 men who have sex with men were diagnosed with HIV, a slight increase compared to 2022, but less than half the number from in 2019. This reflects the long-term success of increased HIV testing, uptake of HIV treatment, and the hugely important introduction of the HIV prevention drug PrEP.
266 out of 811 diagnoses among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men were among men from ethnic minority groups, an increase to 33% from 26% in 2019.
Black African people
In 2023, 3,046 Black African people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK, making up 54% of all new HIV diagnoses. The term ‘new HIV diagnosis’ includes people who were previously diagnosed abroad, but who are continuing their treatment in the UK, and does not reflect a rise in transmission.
In 2023, 32,983 Black African people accessed HIV care, making up 30% of people accessing HIV care in the UK.
The following data are focused on Black African individuals who acquired HIV via sex between men and women only, as this is how UKHSA produces the disaggregated data.
In 2023, 32,983 Black African people accessed HIV care, making up 30% of people accessing HIV care in the UK.
The following data are focused on Black African individuals who acquired HIV via sex between men and women only, as this is how UKHSA produces the disaggregated data.
Trans people (England only)
Since 2017 UKHSA has published data on trans people accessing HIV care and those newly diagnosed with HIV.
Nine trans people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2023, , and 232 trans people accessed care in the same year.
Nine trans people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2023, , and 232 trans people accessed care in the same year.
Together we can make the UK a fairer place for everyone
Without addressing deeply intrenched inequalities we will not be able to stop new HIV transmissions and end HIV stigma.
PreP (England only)
In 2023, 96,562 people initiated or continued taking PrEP in England. This number is around 87% of those with an identified PrEP need, and is a 57% increase from the number initiating or continuing PrEP in 2021.
The majority of people who initiated or continued PrEP in England in 2023 were white gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, representing around 73.9% of those with an identified need. Women represented only 3.1% of people attending specialist sexual health services who initiated or continued use of PrEP in England in 2023.
These numbers show the need to increase ways to access PrEP beyond sexual health clinics, including making it available online, so that everyone who could benefit from it is able to. The Government should introduce a national PrEP Expansion Plan to tackle this.
The majority of people who initiated or continued PrEP in England in 2023 were white gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, representing around 73.9% of those with an identified need. Women represented only 3.1% of people attending specialist sexual health services who initiated or continued use of PrEP in England in 2023.
These numbers show the need to increase ways to access PrEP beyond sexual health clinics, including making it available online, so that everyone who could benefit from it is able to. The Government should introduce a national PrEP Expansion Plan to tackle this.
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