HIV testing and new HIV diagnoses in France in 2025, Digi Mart USA News (France): Testing for the virus that causes AIDS increased again in 2025 in France, where nearly 5,000 people discovered they were HIV-positive, fewer than in 2024, according to a review published Thursday, November 5, by Santé publique France. The agency noted that much work remains to eradicate HIV.
Some 9 million HIV serological tests were carried out in laboratories, a 7% increase over one year, according to the latest data, published ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1. The agency attributed this increase in part to the growing use of the “Mon test IST” program, which allows testing without a prescription and without upfront payment, with 2.3 million tests performed.
Another encouraging trend was a “significant” decline in new HIV diagnoses, which affected 4,983 people. Between 2012 and 2025, the number of new diagnoses fell by 18%.
A resurgence had been observed after the Covid-19 pandemic, between 2020 and 2023, before stopping.
More than half of the people who discovered they were HIV-positive were born abroad.
Among men who have sex with men (MSM), the number of new diagnoses has not declined since 2022, whether they were born in France or abroad. More than half of MSM born abroad who discovered their HIV status in 2025 were infected in France, “which underscores the need to continue prevention efforts targeting this population,” Santé publique France said.
By contrast, the incidence of HIV has remained stable in France since 2023. Although they have decreased slightly, late diagnoses remain frequent, accounting for 39% of diagnoses in 2025.
The agency said this represents a loss of opportunity for care and a risk of transmission to partners before antiretroviral treatment begins.
Heterosexual people and men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 53% and 42%, respectively, of new HIV diagnoses in 2025, far ahead of transgender people (2%) and children infected by their mothers (1%).
The estimated number of people living with HIV who are undiagnosed fell, to roughly 8,500, according to Santé publique France. The agency said the epidemic remains a concern in French Guiana, Mayotte, the French Antilles and Île-de-France.
Santé publique France emphasized the need for access to repeated testing, particularly among those most exposed, and prevention tailored to each person’s needs to reach the goal of eliminating HIV infection.
