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HIV in Scotland

Scotland is on track to be one of the world’s first countries to achieve zero new HIV transmissions

The Scottish Government has committed to reaching zero new HIV transmissions by 2030, but we need action now to get there.

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Getting to zero

On World AIDS Day 2022, the Scottish Government responded to a proposal written by clinicians and academic partners and third-sector organisations including Waverley Care. The proposal, Ending HIV Transmission in Scotland by 2030, outlined the key recommendations to reach zero new HIV transmissions by 2030, such as:

  • Introducing opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments where the diagnosed population HIV prevalence is more than 1 in 500 people.
  • Improving education about HIV for healthcare staff and within sex education in Scottish schools to reflect the reality of living with HIV today.
  • Expanding access to PrEP to ensure everyone who is eligible can easily access it.

Waverley Care sits on Scottish Government implementation group to oversee and monitor progress of key actions outlined in the proposal.

Read the proposal

The political will is there, but we won’t get to zero new HIV transmissions relying on the NHS alone - Waverley Care will need to play a strong and vital role.

Grant Sugden, Waverley Care Chief Executive

Reviewing the Government’s progress to get to zero

In 2025, Waverley Care together with Terrence Higgins Trust reviewed the Scottish Government’s progress towards ending new HIV transmission in Scotland. The findings of our review were clear: we must go further, faster. With bold action now, Scotland can lead the world in eliminating new HIV transmissions.

Read our review of the Scottish Government’s progress towards ending new HIV transmission

HIV in Scotland statistics

Prevalence
  • As of 31 December 2024, an estimated 6,467 people were living with HIV in Scotland.
Prevention
  • In 2024, 2,472 individuals accessed HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the first time, averaging 206 per month.
Diagnoses
  • 94% of people living with HIV have been diagnosed.
  • There is estimated to be 400 people living in Scotland with undiagnosed HIV.
Treatment
  • 91% of those diagnosed with HIV are on treatment.
  • 95% of people on treatment have a suppressed viral load.

You can read more about the statistics on HIV in Scotland, in this Public Health Scotland report.