Update on the HIV/AIDS situation in Singapore 2022 (June 2023)

There were 202 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections reported among Singapore residents1 in 2022. This brings the total number of HIV-infected Singapore residents to 9,331 as of end 2022, of whom 2,362 had passed away. The annual number of new HIV cases among Singapore residents had ranged from 400 to 500 from 2007 to 2017, and gradually decreased to below 300 cases in the last three years.

Of the 202 new cases, 93% were male and 65% were aged between 20 and 49 years. 51% of the new cases (104 out of 202) had late-stage HIV infection2 when they were diagnosed.

Sexual intercourse remains the main mode of HIV transmission, accounting for 93% of the cases. Heterosexual transmission accounted for 37% of all cases, while 51% and 4% of the cases were due to homosexual and bisexual transmissions respectively.

53% of the newly reported cases were detected during the course of medical care and typically at a late stage of HIV infection. Another 18% were detected during routine programmatic HIV screening4 and 17% were detected from self-initiated HIV screening. The rest were detected through other forms of screening. Cases detected via self-initiated screening tended to be at the early stage of infection. A higher proportion of men who have sex with men (MSM) including bisexual males (26% or 29 out of 111) had their HIV infection detected via self-initiated HIV screening compared to cases attributed to heterosexual transmission (7% or 5 out of 75).

For detailed data for cases reported from 1985 to 2022, view Annex A [PDF, 246 KB].

Public advisory

The most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse/ partner and to avoid casual sex, or sex with sex workers. Persons engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as having multiple sexual partners or engaging in casual or commercial sex, are strongly advised to use condoms to reduce their risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms should be used consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter. In addition, the use of preventive measures like HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis are highly effective when used as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy.

The Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) urge individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour to go for regular HIV testing every three to six months. Going for HIV testing is the only way to know your HIV status. Everyone should know their HIV status and get tested at least once. Regular testing and early diagnosis allow persons living with HIV to be treated early and achieve better treatment outcome. This also provides an opportunity to protect their partners from infection as persons living with HIV who are on treatment and have an undetectable viral load have practically no risk of transmitting the virus to their sexual partners. With early and effective treatment, people living with HIV can lead lives no different from others.

HPB has been working with partner organisations to conduct programmes and campaigns to encourage high-risk individuals to take protective measures, such as going for early and regular HIV testing.

For more information about HIV and AIDS as well as where to undergo HIV testing, visit Healthub on HIV prevention.