Human immunodeficiency virus is categorized under the retrovirus family that infects humans and causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a condition in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. Human immunodeficiency virus infection is considered a global pandemic. AIDS continues to have devastating health effects globally, with over 39 million HIV/AIDS-related deaths to date and more than 36 million people living with HIV. This review explains the epidemiology of HIV burden across the globe and the scenario of people living with HIV throughout the world and its preventive measures. © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.