Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.


Undiagnosed HIV

There are estimated to be over 22,400 people living with HIV in the UK who are unaware of their infection.

Diagnosed and Undiagnosed HIV Infection

 % of people living with HIV
Diagnosed73%
Undiagnosed27%
 100%


This information is based on the Health Protection Agency’s estimates of the number of adults aged 15-59 living with HIV in the UK in 2008 as found in its HIV in the United Kingdom: 2009 Report: with 55,150 diagnosed and 22,400 estimated to be undiagnosed.

How does this vary for different groups of people?

Of people living with HIV, women born in Africa are most likely to be aware of their infection. Heterosexual men born both in and outside of Africa are the least likely to be aware of their infection with HIV.

Probable exposure CategoryDiagnosedUndiagnosed
Heterosexual women born in Africa77%23%
Other heterosexual women72%28%
Men who have sex with men73%27%
Heterosexual men born in Africa70%30%
Other heterosexual men67%33%
Injecting drug users74%26%
Average for UK73%27%

This information is based on the Health Protection Agency’s estimates of the number of adults aged 15-59 living with HIV in the UK in 2008 as found in its HIV in the United Kingdom: 2009 Report.  Figures range from 600 undiagnosed injecting drug users to 8,950 undiagnosed men who have sex with men.