HIV/AIDS: The Most Affected Age Group is 25-34 Years Old

Almost 40 years after the first case of HIV/AIDS was detected in Mauritius in 1987, the epidemic remains a public health issue. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, 10,253 cases of HIV/AIDS were recorded from 1987 to December 31, 2025, with 2,354 people having died from the disease.

Men are the most affected, with 7,292 cases reported since the start of the epidemic, compared to 2,961 among women. Health authorities have also documented 119 cases in children.

Significant Increase in 2024

After 331 new cases in 2021, the number of diagnoses rose to 386 in 2022 and then to 382 in 2023. A significant increase was observed in 2024 with 549 new cases, followed by a slight decrease to 491 in 2025. These two years are among the highest in the last decade.

This trend comes as Mauritius implements the National HIV Action Plan 2023-2027, launched on January 20, 2023, which aims to strengthen prevention, testing, and access to care.

25-34 Year Olds Most Affected

Official data shows that individuals aged 25 to 34 represent the most affected age group for new infections, followed by those aged 35 to 44.

Regarding modes of transmission, heterosexual intercourse remains the primary route of contamination in Mauritius, while the use of injectable drugs continues to play a significant role.

Towards the 2030 Goal

At the launch of the National HIV Action Plan 2023-2027 on January 20, 2023, authorities reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the targets set by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization to end the epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

However, statistics as of December 31, 2025, show that despite progress in patient management, HIV transmission continues, highlighting the importance of prevention and testing efforts.