Published on: 2026-08-24
Source: United Nations – Объединенные Нации –
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August 24, 2026 Healthcare
New estimates of the HIV situation worldwide for 2026 show that children and adolescents still face significant gaps in access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Experts are particularly concerned given the reduction in international funding and interruptions in the provision of medical services, which could undo the progress made in recent years.
According to UNICEF experts’ estimates, about 2.27 million children and adolescents under 19 years old were living with HIV worldwide in 2025. Approximately 240,000 people in this age group became infected over the year. Around 74,000 children and adolescents died from AIDS-related causes.
The most severe situation remains among children under 15 years old: in 2025, about 1.26 million children in this age group were living with HIV. During the same period, around 93,000 new infections and 61,000 AIDS-related deaths were registered. This means that approximately 255 children were newly infected with HIV daily, and 167 children died from diseases related to the virus.
Gaps in infection detection and access to treatment
Experts also note significant gaps in infection detection and access to treatment. Only 65 percent of children under 14 living with HIV know their diagnosis, whereas among adults this figure reaches 89 percent. Only 55 percent of children living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy, compared to 79 percent of adults.
The publication of new data coincided with an important stage in the global fight against HIV. The 2026 special report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), presented at the International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, warns that the reduction of international aid and disruptions in prevention and community programs may slow down or even reverse the progress achieved.
Key directions
Experts believe that in the coming years the global community must focus on several key areas. First and foremost, this concerns preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child and accelerating progress toward the complete elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B transmission. Equally important is reducing the gap in access to treatment for children and adolescents through earlier diagnosis, improved pediatric therapy, and ensuring continuity of medical care.
UNICEF believes special attention must be given to preventing new cases of HIV infection among adolescents, especially girls, as well as expanding equal access to effective prevention programs and services in the field of sexual and reproductive health. Experts emphasize that in conditions of reduced financial resources, it is extremely important to use high-quality and timely data to identify emerging problems and allocate funds where they can have the greatest impact.
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