Last year, Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported 3,259 new HIV diagnoses. According to the RKI, the numbers tracked for Germany (as of April 1, 2025) are roughly on par with the previous year, which recorded 3,332 new infections.
Approximately three-quarters of those diagnosed were men (73%), while 27% were women — the latter reflecting a 10% decrease, according to the RKI’s HIV annual report.
The HIV epidemic in Germany is predominantly shaped by men who have sex with men (MSM). They accounted for 35% of new infections last year. This figure has risen slightly after several years of decline. More research is needed to understand this trend, the RKI says. In addition to a real increase, more widespread testing could also be contributing to the higher number of reported cases. The decline in previous years may have been influenced, among other factors, by changes in behavior during the pandemic.
Other routes of HIV transmission include non-sexual pathways such as transmission through injecting drug use.
The RKI emphasizes that the number of new diagnoses cannot be directly equated with the actual HIV incidence, since the interval between infection and diagnosis can vary and testing levels also play a role.
