Key points, first-time HIV diagnoses, 2024

• 239 first-time diagnoses in 2024 (4.6 per 100,000 population). Rate similar to levels seen pre-pandemic (2012 to 2019).
• Majority of diagnoses (67%) were in men, with the rate twice as high as among women. Rates among men trending toward pre-pandemic levels, while rates among women have increased compared to pre-pandemic levels, slightly narrowing the gap.
• Among men, rates highest in those aged 30-34 years. Among women, rates highest in those aged 25-29 years.
• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) continue to be a key population affected by HIV. The rate (84.2 per 100,000) among gbMSM increased compared to 2023 but remains lower than pre-pandemic. Rate in heterosexual women was 3.3 per 100,000 and heterosexual men was 2.7 per 100,000.
• - Amid all first-time diagnoses: 97 were among gbMSM, 67 among heterosexual women, 51 among heterosexual men
• - 23% of gbMSM were co-infected with an acute bacterial STI at time of HIV diagnosis.
• Low number of diagnoses among people who inject drugs (PWID).
• Majority of diagnoses (74%) were among people born outside Ireland, with 23% born in Ireland and 3% unknown. Of those born outside Ireland, the probable country where they acquired their infection was outside Ireland for 39%, Ireland for 30%, and unknown for 31%. 
• Higher HIV rates among men and women born outside Ireland. Among those born outside Ireland, rates among men have returned to levels seen prepandemic, while rates among women have surpassed them. Rates among women remain lower than rates among men overall.
• Among first time diagnoses, 97 (41%) were diagnosed with late-stage infection and 52 (22%) were diagnosed with recent infection
• - The largest number of late-stage infections were in men; Those aged 50+ years had highest proportion diagnosed late
• - The largest number of recent infections were in men and gbMSM; Those aged 20-29 years and those born in Latin America and Caribbean had highest proportion diagnosed with recent infection

P.37 In 2024 There were 11 diagnoses in PWID among whom 64% (n=7) were already known to be living with HIV. PWID accounted for 1% of total diagnoses 

Total HIV diagnoses, Ireland, 2024 data tables (PDF)

First-Time HIV diagnosis, Ireland, 2024 data tables (PDF)