Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have surged to unprecedented levels across the European Union and European Economic Area, according to new data released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Thursday. The report highlights a decade-long upward trend that shows no signs of abating.
“Sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise for 10 years and reached record high levels in 2024,” said Bruno Ciancio, Head of Unit for Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases at the ECDC. “Untreated, 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.”
Gonorrhoea Cases Triple Since 2015
Notifications of gonorrhoea reached 106,331 cases in 2024, a 303% increase compared to 2015. This is the highest rate recorded since the ECDC began STI surveillance in 2009. The infection, caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, often remains asymptomatic, particularly among women, leading to delayed diagnosis and continued transmission.
Between 2023 and 2024, overall gonorrhoea rates rose by 4.3%. Among men, the increase was 7.9%, with the highest rates observed in the 25–34 age group. More than half of all male cases were among men who have sex with men. In contrast, rates among women fell by 8.6%, though the 20–24 age group remained most affected.
The ECDC warned that “high rates of gonorrhoea among women of reproductive age are of concern due to the potential risk of reproductive tract complications.” The highest notification rates in 2024 were recorded in Ireland, Malta, Iceland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Spain.
Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis on the Rise
Syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period, reaching 45,577 in 2024. Chlamydia remains the most commonly reported STI, with 213,443 cases. However, the sharpest concern surrounds congenital syphilis, which nearly doubled from 2023 to its highest level since 2009.
Congenital syphilis occurs when the infection is passed from a pregnant person to the foetus during pregnancy. The ECDC notes that transmission can happen at any stage of infection or pregnancy, but the risk is greatest with untreated early syphilis. Between 2015 and 2024, Bulgaria reported the highest number of cases (195), followed by Portugal (96) and Hungary (91).
“Congenital syphilis is a preventable condition, and elimination across the EU/EEA is achievable,” the report stated. The World Health Organization (WHO) Europe has set a 2030 target of fewer than one case per 100,000 live births. The ECDC recommends strengthening prevention among heterosexual populations, expanding screening programmes, and considering universal third-trimester retesting for pregnant women.
Why Are STIs Increasing?
Experts point to changes in sexual behaviour as a key driver. “Condom use has become increasingly rare; it is used less and less,” said Josep Mallolas, head of the HIV/AIDS unit at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, who was not involved in the report. “Secondly, there has been an increase in the number of sexual partners, not in the number of sexual encounters, which would be less relevant, and this is particularly notable among younger populations, starting from puberty through adolescence and into people in their twenties.”
The ECDC acknowledges that improved screening, testing, and reporting systems may also contribute to the higher numbers. Some countries have responded to the surge by updating testing policies and expanding access to free testing and self-sampling. The broader European context, including ongoing geopolitical tensions such as those highlighted in Latvia's drone incursion, underscores the need for resilient public health systems across the continent.
As Europe grapples with these record STI levels, the focus remains on prevention, early detection, and treatment to avert long-term health consequences and meet WHO elimination targets.
