The Philippines is experiencing a sharp and alarming rise in HIV infections – one of the fastest increases in the Western Pacific region, according to researchers. From 2010 to 2022, new HIV cases soared by 418%, and AIDS related deaths surged by 535%. This growing public health challenge highlights gaps in awareness, prevention and care.
Surging numbers
In March 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that an average of 55 people were being diagnosed with HIV on a daily basis. By May 2025, this figure had risen to 57 cases per day. The first quarter of 2025 alone saw 5,101 new HIV cases being recorded, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024. During the same period, there were also 145 AIDS/HIV related deaths.
As of March 2025, the DOH had confirmed 139,610 cases of people living with HIV in the country. Projections indicate that by the end of 2025, this number will grow to 252,800 cases and potentially to 500,000 HIV cases by 2030.
The vast majority of those infected are men, with 4,849 of the 5,101 new HIV cases reported in the first quarter this year being male.
Young people at the center of the epidemic
The epidemic is hitting young Filipinos the worst. From January to March 2025, the total number of HIV infections amongst the younger population were:
- 2,659 people aged 18 to 24
- 2,491 people aged 25 to 34
These age groups often engage in high-risk sexual behaviour, with condom use being rather low. A 2018 national study conducted among 25,074 women aged 15-49 found that only 66% knew that constant condom use could prevent the spread of HIV, and a 2021 study showed that only 13% of male youth used condoms during paid sex.
Legal barriers and lack of sex education
The low rate of condom use is partly reinforced by legal barriers. Under Philippine law, minors under 18 are prohibited from purchasing condoms or getting them from health facilities without parental consent. According to Human Rights Watch, this restriction, coupled with inadequate sex education in schools, leaves minors vulnerable to HIV.
A study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute showed that 44% of young Filipino females and 39% of young Filipino males lack access to any reliable educational materials on sex and rely on social media, which is littered with misinformation.
Stigma and discrimination add fuel to the fire
Social stigma and discrimination are important factors fueling the increase in HIV infections. A 2023 DOH report indicated that about 70% of all HIV cases involved males who had sex with males. These individuals often face stigma not only due to their diagnosis but also because of their sexual orientation.
Over 75% of males who have sex with males have never been tested for HIV, the DOH added. This is largely due to discrimination and inadequate health care.
The human toll
Jose Roel II Javarez, a 24-year-old from Palawan, has engaged in casual sex since the age of 13 and has had about 30 sexual partners. After falling seriously ill, tests revealed he had contracted HIV when he was 22. Speaking to Australia’s ABC News, he admitted to knowing 50 people with HIV, and others who were afraid of being tested for fear of being humiliated, stigmatized, or discriminated against.
“I was one of those who was hesitant and afraid of getting tested, because if I ever tested positive during the testing, [I would have to face] the judgment of the community,” Javarez explained.
HIV testing is also low among Filipino women. Only 5% of Filipino women have ever been tested for HIV, compared to 42% in Cambodia and 19% in Myanmar, according to an International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS 2021 study. Those countries benefit from greater HIV awareness and less stigma which contributes to higher testing rates.
