The Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB) reported 4,633 newly confirmed cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Philippines during the first quarter of 2026, with urban centers and younger demographics emerging as the most heavily impacted.
According to the latest ‘HIV & AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines’ report, the country averaged 51 new cases daily from January to March. A stark gender disparity remains evident, with males accounting for 95% (4,381 cases) of the new diagnoses, while females comprised five percent (252 cases).
Health data further highlights a worrying shift toward a younger demographic. Individuals aged 25 to 34 formed the largest cohort at 46%, closely followed by the 15-to-24 age bracket at 31%. The remaining cases were distributed among those aged 35 to 49 (18%) and individuals 50 years and older (3%).
The DOH underscored this long-term demographic transition in its findings:
“Diagnosed cases are getting younger as predominant age group shifted to 25-34 years old starting 2006, and the proportion of cases among 15-24 age group has reached 30% as of 2025,” the report stated.
Alarmingly, 24% of the newly diagnosed individuals—or 1,104 patients—already had advanced HIV disease at the exact time of their testing.
Geographically, the National Capital Region (NCR) remains the epicenter of the country’s epidemic, logging 989 cases or 21% of the national total. CALABARZON (Region 4A) followed closely with 808 cases (17%), while Central Luzon (Region 3) registered 551 cases (12%).
Rounding out the top five regions were Soccsksargen (Region 12) with 277 cases (6%) and the Davao Region (Region 11) with 263 cases (6%).
Since the country documented its very first HIV case in 1984, the cumulative national total has climbed to 168,079. Historically, 94% (158,670) of all recorded infections involved males, while 6% (9,399) involved females.
Amid the rising numbers, health authorities noted that 108,367 people living with HIV (PLHIV) are currently receiving free life-saving medication under the government’s antiretroviral therapy (ART) program.