Special Report
- In 2008, an estimated 1.9 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa became
newly infected with HIV, bringing the total number of people living with HIV to 22.4 million.
- In 2008, an estimated 1.4 million AIDS-related deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. This number represents an 18% decline in annual HIV-related mortality in the region since 2004.
- In 2008, sub-Saharan
Africa accounted for 67% of HIV infections
worldwide, 68% of new HIV infections among
adults and 91% of new HIV infections among
children. The region also accounted for 72% of the
world's AIDS-related deaths in 2008
- While the rate of new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa has slowly declined (with the
number of new infections in 2008 approximately 25% lower than at the epidemic's peak in the region in 1995)the number of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa slightly increased in 2008, in part due to increased longevity stemming from improved access to HIV treatment. Adult (15-49) HIV prevalence declined from 5.8% in 2001 to 5.2% in 2008.
- An estimated 33 million people were living with HIV in 2007. There were 2.7 million new HIV infections and 2 million AIDS-related deaths last year.
Top 5 facts sources: UNAIDS/ WHO epidemiological Fact Sheet 2008.