STI Rates Reach Highest Levels in Over a Decade
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhoea and syphilis, have reached unprecedented levels in Europe, according to recent data released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
In 2024, gonorrhoea cases surged to 106,331, marking a 303% increase since 2015. Syphilis cases more than doubled during the same period, reaching 45,557.
The ECDC attributed this rise partly to "widening gaps in testing and prevention," emphasizing the need for urgent public health interventions.
Health Risks and Congenital Syphilis Concerns
Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC's Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit, highlighted the serious health complications associated with these infections.
"These infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system,"
He also noted a concerning increase in congenital syphilis cases, where infections are transmitted directly to newborns, potentially causing lifelong health issues. The number of such cases nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024.
"Protecting your sexual health remains straightforward. Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and get tested if you have symptoms."
Country-Specific Data and Trends
Among participating European countries, Spain reported the highest number of confirmed cases in 2024, with 37,169 gonorrhoea and 11,556 syphilis diagnoses.
While chlamydia remains the most commonly reported bacterial STI overall, its cases have decreased by 6% since 2015, totaling 213,443 in 2024.
UK Data and Response
The United Kingdom has not been included in the ECDC research since Brexit but publishes its own annual figures for England.
A UK Health Security Agency report released in December indicated 71,802 gonorrhoea cases and 9,535 syphilis cases in England during 2024. Chlamydia diagnoses numbered 168,889 in the same period.
In response to rising gonorrhoea cases, which reached a record 85,000 in 2023, the UK introduced a gonorrhoea vaccine in 2025.
