Total number of new HIV infections in Italy 2023, by region

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): a condition that damages the immune system, making it incapable to defeat diseases. In 2023, Lombardy and Lazio were the Italian regions with the highest number of newly diagnosed HIV infections, with 377 and 348 cases, respectively. 

HIV in Italy

In Italy, the number of new HIV cases fluctuated over time and, since 2016, is constantly decreasing until 2020 to then increase again. HIV has always been more common among males than females, and the most affected age group was the one consisting of people who were 30 to 39 years old, both among men and women. As a matter of fact, in 2023, 501 males and 151 females in their 30s were newly diagnosed with HIV. 

HIV in Europe

A similar trend of the one observed in Italy can be observed in Europe. Indeed, new HIV diagnosis in Europe have been increasing again since 2020, and in 2022 new cases of HIV among males totaled 16.1 thousand, while among females they reached almost 6.8 thousand, the highest figure since 2013.