A new analysis warns that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is one of the few regions where HIV incidence continues to climb. HIV rates surged by 116% between 2010 and 2023, reaching roughly 23,000 new infections per year. Though overall prevalence remains low, the epidemic is increasingly concentrated among men who have sex with men.
Stigma and criminalization remain major barriers. Laws targeting same-sex relationships and gender expression deter many from seeking testing or treatment. Ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine/Israel have further disrupted healthcare, displacing vulnerable populations and interrupting care.
There are some signs of progress. Morocco, Lebanon, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have begun PrEP implementation. Community-led organizations are also expanding confidential testing and outreach. Experts say ending transmission will require addressing stigma alongside expanding prevention and care.