Gonorrhoea and Syphilis cases hit highest level in Europe in 10 years

May 30, 2026:

Gonorrhoea and Syphilis cases hit highest level in Europe in 10 years

Summary:

Cases of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis reach 10-year highs in Europe
Rates of congenital Syphilis more than double in the same timeframe
Rises in rates of STIs re-emphasises the need for safe sex practices and comprehensive STI testing

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has just released new data showing a dramatic rise in the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the continent.

STI rates are rising in many parts of the world.

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Gonorrhoea and Syphilis cases rose to their highest level in 10 years in 2024, sparking new concerns about safe sex practices and testing methods.

Syphilis cases doubled between 2015 and 2024 to 45,557. Cases of confirmed Gonorrhoea more than tripled to 106,331.

This marks a massive shift in the sexual health landscape, where certain infections were thought to be under control.

Of particular concern was the sharp rise in the number of cases of congenital Syphilis, where infections pass directly from the mother to the child during pregnancy. These cases nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024.

The ECDC reported that men who have sex with men (MSM) were the group disproportionately affected by rising rates of STIs. However, heterosexual women of reproductive age also saw significant increases in cases of Syphilis.

The UK collects its own data on STIs. The UK Sexual Health Security Agency reported that there were 71,802 cases of Gonorrhoea in England in 2024, and 9,535 Syphilis cases.

The UK recently rolled out a new vaccination for Gonorrhoea, after cases hit a record of 85,000 in 2023.

How to protect yourself

Mike Asher, Chairman and CEO of Better2Know, had this to say of the new data:

“Any increase in the number of STIs, whether in the UK or around the world, is a concern. While the cause of this rise hasn’t been determined yet, it reemphasises the importance of safe sex and regular STI testing. While there have been important strides forward in developing new vaccines, especially for Gonorrhoea, the risk of transmission remains. We encourage all sexually active people to get tested regularly and to use condoms where possible to secure their health.”

Final thoughts

If you’re concerned about your sexual health, don’t leave it to chance. Knowing more can help you make important decisions about your health. Click the button below to book an STI test at a clinic near you.

Don’t leave your sexual health to chance.

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