In sub-Saharan Africa, where 61% of all new HIV infections occur, women are disproportionally affected by HIV, accounting for 54% of all new HIV infections in 2018. Young women aged 15–24 years were the hardest hit, accounting for 25% of new HIV infections in the region but representing only 10% of the total population.

Outside of sub-Saharan Africa, however, the situation is different, with men aged 25–49 years accounting for almost half of all new HIV infections, although they represent only 18% of the total population.