Regulations › Surveillance & Epidemiology
Georgia has a concentrated HIV epidemic predominantly among people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers. While prevalence remains low in the general population, incidence has been rising in certain key populations. Georgia’s national HIV response is coordinated by the Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Centre (IDACIRC) with full ART access through the Universal Healthcare Programme.
Epidemiological profile
| Indicator | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| People diagnosed with HIV since 1989 | 11,218 (as of 18 May 2025) | AIDS Center, via Georgia Today |
| Estimated people living with HIV | ~9,500 (about 0.3% of the population) | Tsertsvadze AIDS Center, 2025 |
| Receiving antiretroviral treatment | 6,900 (May 2025) | AIDS Center, via Georgia Today |
| New cases detected in 2023 | 560 | AIDS Center, via JAMnews |
| Mode of transmission (cumulative) | Heterosexual 53% · injecting drug use 30% · sex between men 14% | AIDS Center, via Georgia Today |
| HIV prevalence in key populations | People who inject drugs 2.3% · men who have sex with men 16.2% · female sex workers 0.9% | Tsertsvadze AIDS Center, 2025 |
| Universal access to antiretroviral treatment | Since 2004 | Tsertsvadze AIDS Center, 2025 |
National HIV Programme — structure
- Lead agency — Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Centre (IDACIRC), Tbilisi — national referral centre for HIV diagnosis, ART initiation and management
- Coordination — MoLHSA and NCDC for policy, surveillance and international reporting; IDACIRC for clinical programme delivery
- Funding — Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Government of Georgia co-financing
- ART access — All persons living with HIV in Georgia are entitled to free ART through the UHC programme; treatment initiated at IDACIRC and linked to regional clinics for follow-up
- Testing — Voluntary confidential HIV testing available at IDACIRC, antenatal clinics, TB clinics, OST clinics and community-based organisations; rapid tests available for key populations; routine antenatal HIV screening
- OST integration — HIV services are integrated with opioid substitution therapy (OST) programme for PWID; methadone and buprenorphine available nationwide
ART regimens — current first-line (Georgia)
| Population | Preferred first-line regimen | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (treatment-naive) | TLD: Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (fixed-dose combination) | WHO-recommended preferred regimen; high barrier to resistance; once-daily single tablet |
| Adults with TB co-infection | TLD with rifabutin substitution (rifampicin lowers dolutegravir levels); or TLD double-dose dolutegravir with rifampicin | Start ART within 2 weeks if CD4 <50; within 8 weeks for others |
| Pregnant women | TLD (dolutegravir preferred in pregnancy per updated WHO 2021 guidance) | Mandatory ART for PMTCT regardless of CD4; infant prophylaxis with NVP for 6 weeks |
| Children (<10 kg) | Abacavir/Lamivudine/Lopinavir-ritonavir (age-appropriate formulation) | Per WHO paediatric ART guidelines; managed at IDACIRC paediatric unit |
HIV testing in healthcare settings
Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) — Georgian healthcare providers should offer HIV testing to: all pregnant women at first ANC visit; all TB patients; all patients with STIs; all patients presenting with conditions suggestive of HIV/AIDS (unexplained weight loss, recurrent infections, oral candidiasis, herpes zoster); all PWID entering healthcare settings; all persons diagnosed with hepatitis C. Refusal of testing must be documented. A reactive rapid HIV test must be confirmed by Western blot or a second different rapid test before disclosure of a positive result.
In plain language
Georgia has a low-prevalence HIV epidemic concentrated in key populations. Testing, antiretroviral treatment and prevention of mother-to-child transmission are free, and the country has maintained universal access to treatment since 2004. The main challenge is diagnosing people earlier.
Why it matters
Key actions checklist
- Offer HIV testing routinely where indicated, including to people with TB and hepatitis
- Link everyone diagnosed to treatment without delay
- Support adherence and viral load monitoring
- Provide prevention services, including for key populations
- Protect confidentiality in line with the patients’ rights law
International guidance
Questions and answers
Is HIV treatment free?
Yes, antiretroviral treatment is provided free of charge through the national programme.
What are the global targets?
UNAIDS 95-95-95: 95% of people with HIV diagnosed, 95% of them on treatment and 95% of those virally suppressed.
Related pages
HIV/AIDS Surveillance and Programme — IDACIRC and NCDC Georgia
Open Georgian source →Additional reference →NCDC publishes quarterly HIV situation reports. IDACIRC (idacirc.ge) manages the national ART programme.
Published by the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG) · Regulations Hub · Contact PHIG