Europe is struggling to meet its objective of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, with alarming data revealing that over half of HIV diagnoses in 2024 were made too late for effective treatment. According to the latest report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, a staggering 54% of all diagnoses were classified as late, underscoring significant gaps in testing and treatment.
The annual HIV/AIDS surveillance report indicated that there were 105,922 HIV diagnoses in the WHO European Region, which encompasses 53 countries across Europe and Central Asia. While this figure reflects a slight decrease compared to 2023, it highlights the persistent challenges in early HIV detection and treatment. Late diagnoses lead to a higher likelihood of developing AIDS and increase both mortality rates and the potential for HIV transmission.
In the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), 24,164 HIV diagnoses were reported in 2024, translating to a rate of 5.3 per 100,000 individuals. Alarmingly, 48% of these diagnoses were considered late. The data reveal that sexual contact between men remains the predominant transmission route, accounting for 48% of cases, but there has been a concerning rise in heterosexually transmitted infections, which now make up nearly 46% of reported diagnoses.
Dr. Pamela Rendi-Wagner, ECDC Director, emphasized the urgent need for innovative testing strategies. She stated, “We must urgently innovate our testing strategies, embrace community-based testing and self-testing, and ensure rapid linkage to care. We can only end AIDS if people know their status.”
The report further noted that late diagnoses were particularly high among individuals infected via heterosexual transmission, especially men, as well as among people who inject drugs. Additionally, nearly one in three HIV diagnoses were among individuals born outside the country where they were diagnosed. In the EU/EEA, migrants accounted for more than half of new diagnoses, reinforcing the need for tailored, accessible, and culturally competent prevention and testing services.
Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, characterized the situation as a mixed picture. He pointed out that while HIV testing has rebounded since 2020, resulting in increased reports of both tests and diagnoses, there is a growing number of individuals living with undiagnosed HIV. He remarked, “We are not doing enough to remove the deadly barriers of stigma and discrimination that prevent people from seeking out a simple test. An early diagnosis is not a privilege but a gateway to a long, healthy life and the key to stopping HIV in its tracks.”
In light of these findings, the ECDC and WHO/Europe are calling for urgent action to normalize and scale up testing efforts. They advocate for wider access to self-testing and community-based options that can reach populations that typically do not utilize facility-based healthcare services.
The target to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is still within reach, but it requires immediate action to close the existing testing gaps.
Looking ahead, the ECDC is organizing a digital event on World AIDS Day, scheduled for December 1, 2025, titled “World AIDS Day 2025: Redefining the Journey.” The event will discuss the latest data on HIV/AIDS and explore strategies to close care gaps and reduce stigma.
As the European region grapples with these challenges, the need for comprehensive action and awareness has never been more critical. The fight against HIV/AIDS requires collective efforts to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity for early diagnosis and effective treatment.
