SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA HAS THE MOST PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV
Estimated number of people living with HIV, by region (1990-2006)
HIV prevalence
HIV prevalence
MDG indicator: HIV prevalence among young people aged 15–24
The number of people living with HIV worldwide has continued to rise, and more than 10 million people aged 15–24 are infected with HIV. About 95 per cent of people living with HIV reside in low- and middle-income countries, and almost two thirds of them are in sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 2.9 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2006.
In many countries, new infections are heavily concentrated among young people aged 15–24, who accounted for 40 per cent of the 4.3 million new HIV infections in 2006. New evidence suggests declining HIV prevalence in Kenya, in rural areas of Botswana and in urban areas of Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi and Zimbabwe as a result, at least in part, of young people adopting safer sexual behaviours. These trends are not yet widespread or strong enough to turn the tide, but preventing HIV infection among young people and adolescents is key to an effective response.
OUTSIDE SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, SPECIFIC SUBPOPULATIONS ARE MOST AT RISK OF HIV INFECTION
Per cent distribution of HIV infections in subpopulations in regions with low and concentrated epidemics (2005)
IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, YOUNG WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN YOUNG MEN TO BECOME INFECTED WITH HIV
HIV prevalence in men and women aged 15-24 in sub-Saharan Africa (2000-2006)
