Singapore: The number of new HIV diagnoses in Singapore dropped to 151 in 2024 - the lowest annual figure since 1998 when 199 cases were reported. This marks a continued decline from 209 cases in 2023 and a notable shift in the country's HIV trend. As of the end of 2024, a total of 7,137 Singapore residents are known to be living with HIV, according to data released by the Communicable Diseases Agency on May 20.

According to Philippines News Agency, from 2009 to 2019, Singapore saw between 300 and 500 new cases annually. The numbers began to fall further from 2020 onward, averaging between 200 and 250 cases per year. Of the 151 new cases in 2024, 93.4 percent (141) were male, including five individuals aged 15 to 19. More than half of all diagnoses (51.7 percent) were made at a late stage - similar to 2023's 51.2 percent - when patients sought medical care for HIV-related or unrelated conditions.

About 18 percent of cases were detected through routine screenings, while 16 percent were discovered via self-initiated testing, which often led to earlier diagnosis. Sexual transmission remains the primary mode of infection, with 96 percent of cases linked to sexual contact. Over 50 percent involved men who have sex with men, while heterosexual transmission accounted for 38.4 percent. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a normal lifespan, with government subsidies available for citizens and permanent residents. Since 1985, Singapore has recorded 9,691 HIV cases, with 2,554 deaths.