This report examines funding for HIV programs for key populations: 10 gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and transgender people in low- and middle-income countries for the years 2019–2023. 11 This is a follow-up to an initial report in 2020, which examined funding flows for the period 2016–2018. 12 The 2020 study found that only 2% of HIV funding was allocated to support work with key populations—drastically below what was needed at the time.

Funding for key population programs is dangerously off track, undermining progress toward the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. This report demonstrates that the gap between available funding and the need is staggering. At least 20% of all available HIV resources should be dedicated to HIV programs addressing the needs of key populations. Yet, between 2019 and 2023, only 2.6% of HIV funding was focused on key population programs.

A total of $5.7 billion is needed specifically for HIV prevention, yet in 2023, just 4.5% of the funding required for comprehensive prevention programs was available. Additionally, $3.1 billion is needed for societal enablers, which should primarily benefit key populations. However, in 2023, just 2.5% of that amount was identified. For key populations, the consequences of failing to meet these needs are devastating.