Provisional data show a drop in new HIV diagnoses in 2025 in England

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published provisional data on HIV diagnoses in England for 2025. It shows an overall 13% fall in new diagnoses, from 2,922 in 2024 to 2,542 in 2025.

This is the first time UKHSA has published provisional data early to support closer monitoring of progress against the HIV Action Plan for England 2025 to 2030 and to inform local action. UKHSA has also made clear that these figures are likely to underestimate the true number of diagnoses and should be treated with caution until the official annual statistics are published later in 2026.

What the data shows

Between 2024 and 2025, provisional data shows that new HIV diagnoses fell in four of the five key population groups covered by the HIV Action Plan. Specifically, diagnoses fell by:

• 14% among White gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
• 33% among Black African heterosexual men from 307 in 2024 to 206 in 2025.
• 30% among Black African heterosexual women from 488 to 343.
• 15% among other ethnic minority heterosexual adults.

The only increase among the HIV Action Plan population groups was among ethnic minority GBMSM, where new diagnoses rose by 2%. In 2025, they accounted for 2 in 5 new diagnoses among GBMSM, up from 1 in 4 in 2020.

Regional data also shows fewer new diagnoses in every region of England. London still accounted for more than a third of all new HIV diagnoses, with 905 of the 2,542 provisional diagnoses recorded in 2025. The largest regional decreases were in the North East, East Midlands, West Midlands and South West.

Progress is not equal for all communities

Although the data is provisional and may change as further submissions are received, it suggests that progress in HIV prevention remains uneven across communities, consistent with previous surveillance reports.

This underlines the importance of targeted, culturally competent HIV prevention and testing activity. It is a clear reminder that England’s ambition to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 will only be achieved if prevention activity reaches the people and places where need remains greatest.

The data provides an opportunity to review local priorities and, strengthen prevention and testing pathways.

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