HIV spread rapidly in Zimbabwe in the mid-late 1980s. By the mid-1990s, one-quarter of adults in the country were infected with HIV. HIV-1 subtype C is believed to be the predominant sub-type within the country and its spread has been mediated overwhelmingly by heterosexual sex.

How did HIV spread in Zimbabwe?

The Zimbabwean HIV epidemic is largely driven by unprotected heterosexual sex. But there are now growing epidemics among certain population groups who are at higher risk of HIV (often referred to as key populations). National data on these populations is sparse.

What percentage of Zimbabweans are HIV positive?

The prevalence of HIV among adults was 12.9 percent, which corresponds to approximately 1.23 million adults in Zimbabwe living with HIV in 2020. Generally, the survey found that HIV prevalence was higher among women than men (15.3 percent vs. 10.2 percent).