03/09/2026
36 DISTRICTS ACCOUNT FOR 952,000 HIV INFECTIONS -2025 HIV SPECTRUM ESTIMATES
Zambia has officially launched the 2025 HIV Spectrum Estimates, providing an updated picture of the national HIV epidemic and critical evidence to guide planning, programming, resource allocation and efforts towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The estimates were launched by Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, Permanent Secretary – Technical Services, Ministry of Health at The Quorum Hotel in Lusaka.
Key Highlights from the 2025 Estimates;
• 1,308,000 people were living with HIV in Zambia in 2025.
• Adult HIV prevalence among people aged 15–49 declined from 12.8% in 2010 to 8.0% in 2025.
• New HIV infections declined by 66%, from 68,000 in 2010 to 23,000 in 2025.
• AIDS-related deaths declined by 56%, from approximately 35,000 in 2010 to 16,000 in 2025.
• Zambia has surpassed the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, achieving: 96% know their HIV status, 99% of those diagnosed are on treatment and 97% of those on treatment are virally suppressed
• Mother-to-child transmission declined from approximately 23% in 2010 to 6.12% in 2025
• Women account for approximately 64% of people living with HIV and 61% of new HIV infections.
• Approximately 74,000 adolescent girls and young women and 37,000 adolescent boys and young men aged 15–24, are living with HIV.
• Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces account for approximately 43% of people living with HIV in Zambia.
Speaking at the dissemination, Dr. Lishimpi emphasised that the Spectrum Estimates are more than technical projections, they are strategic tools for strengthening HIV prevention, treatment and care, and for guiding implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework, National Health Strategic Plan and key financing investments.
UNFPA Country Representative Seth Broekman called for increased investment in prevention programmes targeting adolescent girls and young women, while cautioning that declining external financing could threaten hard-won gains.
Meanwhile, Mr. Calvin Kalombo, Director of Planning and Policy at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of using the estimates to assess what has worked, identify gaps, strategically allocate resources and strengthen programme implementation towards the 2030 targets.
Presenting the 2026 Global AIDS Report, UNAIDS Strategic Information Advisor Dr. John Mwale reminded stakeholders that global HIV progress is real but fragile. He stated that in 2025, an estimated 40.9 million people were living with HIV globally, with 1.2 million new infections and 570,000 AIDS-related deaths. Although new infections have declined by 43% since 2010, progress is slow, while funding disruptions continue to threaten prevention, testing, PrEP and community-led responses.
The data shows how far we’ve come, but where should Zambia focus its next big push to end AIDS by 2030? Share your thoughts below.
