UNAIDS warns HIV epidemic could resurge as global funding drops 18% to $7.3 billion, lowest in two decades

Funding collapse

International HIV funding dropped 18% in 2025 to $7.3 billion, the lowest level in nearly two decades, according to a 60-page UNAIDS report released on Monday at the International AIDS Conference in Brazil. The decline of more than $1.5 billion was driven primarily by cuts from the United States, which had previously provided 75% of all international HIV assistance. The report described a "period of profound political and financial upheaval" that now threatens decades of progress against the virus.

The international community has entered a period of profound political and financial upheaval that threatens decades of hard-won gains against HIV.

US policy shift

President Donald Trump, after returning to the White House in January 2025, ordered a temporary halt to all HIV-related funding. Life-saving treatment programmes were restored days later, but most prevention efforts remained curtailed. The freeze and subsequent restrictions directly reduced the flow of money to countries dependent on US support, with UNAIDS noting that the cuts were the single largest factor in the overall funding decline. Some governments increased domestic spending to partially offset the loss, limiting the total drop in global HIV resources to 6% rather than the 18% fall in international funding alone.

Prevention programmes hit hardest

The funding disruptions fell hardest on prevention. In sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for roughly half of all new HIV infections globally, many prevention activities came to a near standstill. National data from Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia showed that the number of people receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) fell by more than 50%. Community-led services that reach the populations most affected by HIV were also severely impacted.

HIV funding disruptions severely impacted HIV prevention, testing and key components of treatment programmes, such as the range of community-led services that reach the people most affected by HIV.

New infections and the 2030 goal

Despite the funding crisis, HIV new infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in more than 30 years. However, 1.2 million people still acquired the virus in 2025, and UNAIDS said the global goal to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is off track. The report cited reduced funding, along with competing crises such as Ebola outbreaks, as factors undermining the response.

Without renewed commitment and action, the world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic.

Outlook

UNAIDS called for restored global solidarity and action to address inequalities. The report warned that the current fragility of the HIV response puts hard-won gains at risk, and that without a reversal of funding trends, the epidemic could rebound. The conference in Brazil is expected to focus on mobilising new commitments.