England has been identified as the European capital for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with new data suggesting it surpasses 30 other nations in rates of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis. Figures published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that STI cases across the continent reached record highs in the last decade.
Record Highs Across Europe
The data, covering the 27 European Union member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, reveals gonorrhoea diagnoses soared to 106,331 in 2024, the highest level since tracking began in 2009. Syphilis cases more than doubled to 45,577, while chlamydia remained the most commonly reported STI with 213,443 cases. There was also a worrying rise in congenital syphilis, where infection passes from mother to baby during pregnancy or birth, posing life-threatening complications.
England's STI Burden
Although England was not included in the ECDC analysis, comparisons with official data suggest it would rank as Europe's worst-hit nation for sheer volume of syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia cases. In 2024, England recorded 168,889 chlamydia cases, far exceeding Spain's 41,798. Per capita, England had around 288 cases per 100,000 people compared to Spain's 86. However, Denmark had the highest chlamydia rate per capita at 502.3 per 100,000.
For gonorrhoea, England recorded 71,802 cases, almost double Spain's 37,169. Ireland had the highest per-capita rate of gonorrhoea, with 109 cases per 100,000. England also led in syphilis with 13,030 cases, ahead of Spain's 11,556 and Germany's 9,509. Malta had the highest syphilis prevalence per capita at 60.3 per 100,000.
Expert Concerns and Prevention
Bruno Ciancio, Head of Department at the ECDC, said: 'Sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise for 10 years and reached record high levels in 2024. 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.' He highlighted a 'near doubling' of congenital syphilis cases, which can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe birth defects. Ciancio urged condom use and testing for symptoms like pain, discharge, or ulcers.
The data also showed a rise in lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), a rare STI, with Spain accounting for nearly 60% of cases. England recorded 1,252 LGV cases. Experts note that some countries' data may be incomplete due to sentinel surveillance systems, but England's STI burden remains a major public health concern. The NHS has launched a world-first gonorrhoea vaccine programme, expected to save millions.
