Latest HIV statistics in Azerbaijan

According to Gunash Jafarova, Deputy Director of the Republican AIDS Center, as of May 2025, there are 10,324 officially registered people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Azerbaijan.

Of those registered, 70% are men and 30% are women, reflecting a notable gender gap in infection rates. This discrepancy may point to the higher vulnerability of men — including men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers — who often face stigma and barriers to accessing healthcare and testing services.

Recent research from the Center also highlights elevated HIV infection rates in particularly Lankaran, Astara, Lerik, and Shirvan-Hajigabul. These findings underscore the importance of regionally focused public health responses and targeted outreach.

The AIDS Center notes that these regional variations are being closely monitored, and that prevention efforts — including awareness campaigns, increased testing, and tailored interventions for key populations — are being expanded.

For Azerbaijan’s LGBTQI+ community, this data is a crucial reminder that access to stigma-free, confidential testing and treatment services must be a priority, and that fighting discrimination remains central to any effective public health strategy.

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