HIV and AIDS Statistics - Canada
Updated January 2013
Overview
The number of people living with HIV (including AIDS) in Canada continues to rise, from an estimated 64,000 in 2008 to 71,300 in 2011 (an 11.4% increase).
Although estimates of the number of new HIV infections are quite uncertain, the number of new infections in 2011 was estimated at 3,175 (range between 2,250 and 4,100) which was about the same as or slightly fewer than the estimate in 2008 (3,335; range of 2,370 to 4,300).
Most Recent Trends
In terms of exposure category, gay and bisexual men and other MSM continued to comprise the greatest proportion (46.6%) of new infections in 2011, which was slightly higher than the proportion they comprised in 2008 (44.1%).
In 2011, the proportion of new infections among IDU was lower than in 2008 (13.7% compared to 16.9%).
The proportion of new infections attributed to the heterosexual/non-endemic and heterosexual/endemic exposure categories were about the same in 2011 compared to 2008 (20.3% vs 20.1% and 16.9% vs 16.2%, respectively).
Aboriginal people also continue to be over-represented in the HIV epidemic in Canada. An estimated 390 (280 to 500) new HIV infections occurred in Aboriginal people in 2011 (12.2% of all new infections), slightly fewer than the 420 (290 to 550) new infections in 2008 (12.6% of all new infections in 2008).
There were an estimated 755 (510 to 1,000) new HIV infections among women in Canada in 2011, while the corresponding figure for 2008 was 865 (630 to 1,100). The proportion of all new infections among women was also slightly lower in 2011 compared to 2008 (23.8% vs. 25.9%).
Sources
1. At a Glance - HIV and AIDS in Canada: Surveillance Report to December 31st, 2011 Public Health Agency of Canada.
