Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Sub-Sahara Africa heavily affected by HIV/AIDS.  Ethiopia’s population reached an estimated 73 million in mid-2005, and is expected to grow by over 2.0% annually through 2025. Ethiopia's population is young with 43% under the age of 15 years. Eighty-four percent of the population is rural.

In 2005, it is estimated that a total of 1,320,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS, of which 634,000 are living in rural areas and 686,000 in urban areas. In the 15-29 age groups, there were more women living with HIV/AIDS than men; conversely in the 30+ age group, there were more men living with HIV/AIDS than women.  It is also estimated, a total of 137,500 new AIDS cases, 128,900 new HIV infections including 30,300 HIV positive births, and 134,500 AIDS deaths occurred. It is estimated that there are a total of 744,100 AIDS orphans aged 0-14 of which 529,800 were maternal, 464,500 paternal, and 250,200 dual orphans. HIV/AIDS accounted for 32% of the estimated 141,000 of TB cases in 2005.  The estimated total number of persons requiring ART in 2005 is 277,800 (including 43,100 children).  Over all AIDS accounted for an estimated 34% of all 15-49 adult deaths, in urban areas it accounts for 66.3% of all adult deaths.  Of the total 564,351 VCT clients reported during Ethiopian Fiscal Year 1998 (July 1, 1997 – June 30, 1998), 13.7% were HIV positive (15.7% among females and 11.6% among males).

Although these estimates indicate some encouraging signs of that the epidemic is showing a slowly decline, the change is not sufficient enough compared to the desired goals of the response against the epidemic. Given the magnitude of the problem, it will take a number of years to see significant declines in HIV prevalence and incidence reductions with consorted and sustained efforts. Although there are advances in the availability, accessibility and utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, support and treatment services; improvements in the management of the epidemic and the increasing resource availability, Ethiopia still face a situation unlikely to give respite in the near future. Despite all the challenges, the government of Ethiopia and its partners are working hard to contain the epidemic and the achievements so far are encouraging