An estimated 2.27 million children and adolescents aged 19 and below were living with HIV worldwide in 2025, according to new estimates released by UNICEF.
The figures also show that about 240,000 children and adolescents acquired HIV during the year, while roughly 74,000 died from AIDS related causes.
Children aged 14 and below remain particularly vulnerable.
UNICEF estimated that 1.26 million children in that age group were living with HIV in 2025.
About 93,000 were newly infected and approximately 61,000 died from AIDS related causes.
That translates to roughly 255 new infections and 167 deaths every day among children in the younger age group.
UNICEF said significant gaps remained in diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression.
Only about 65 per cent of children aged 14 and below living with HIV knew their status, compared with about 89 per cent among adults.
Around 55 per cent of children living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral treatment, compared with 79 per cent of adults.
Viral suppression among children was even lower at about 47 per cent.
UNICEF warned that reductions in international funding and disruptions to prevention and community based services could threaten progress.
The agency said children and adolescents could be disproportionately affected because they already faced some of the largest gaps in diagnosis and treatment.
It identified four priorities for strengthening the global response.
These include eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV and accelerating the broader goal of eliminating HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B transmission.
UNICEF also called for earlier diagnosis and better pediatric treatment.
Another priority is preventing new infections among adolescents, particularly girls, while improving access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The agency also urged governments and partners to protect gains in the face of changing global financing conditions.
UNICEF said stronger national data systems would be critical for identifying service disruptions and directing limited resources toward children and communities facing the greatest need.
