FACTBOX: How many people are living with HIV?

NEW YORK (AlertNet) - Around the world, 34.2 million people are living with HIV, a number that has climbed steadily from 28.9 million people in 2001, according to a new report from the U.N. AIDS programme (UNAIDS).

The figure has risen as new infections continue to occur, although at a slower pace, and more people with HIV receive life-saving antiretroviral drug therapy.

Here is the regional distribution of people living with HIV in 2011:

Global total - 34.2 million

Sub-Saharan Africa - 23.5 million, including 3.1 million children

South and Southeast Asia - 4.2 million, including 180,000 children

Eastern Europe and Central Asia - 1.5 million, including 17,000 children

Latin America - 1.4 million, including 40,000 children

North America - 1.4 million, including 4,500 children

Western and Central Europe - 860,000, including 1,800 children

East Asia - 830,000, including 16,000 children

Middle East and North Africa - 330,000, including 19,000 children

Caribbean - 230,000

Oceania - 53,000, including 3,600 children

Source: UNAIDS