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Latest Annual Data for England (2025)

UK STI Trends: The Latest Data & Insights for 2025

Understanding the landscape of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is crucial for public health and personal wellbeing. The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for England in 2024 reveals a complex picture: while there are promising decreases in some common STIs like gonorrhoea and chlamydia, there is a continued and concerning rise in syphilis cases.

This page breaks down the latest statistics, highlighting the key trends and demographics most affected, to provide a clear understanding of the current state of sexual health in the UK.

2025 UK STI Statistics: A Snapshot

The 2024 report shows a mixed but significant set of trends when compared to the previous year. Here are the key national statistics for England:

• Total New Diagnoses: There were 364,750 new STI diagnoses in 2024, an 8.8% decrease from 399,947 in 2023.
• Chlamydia: Remains the most common STI with 168,889 diagnoses, a 13% decrease from 2023.
• Gonorrhoea: Showed a significant 15.9% decrease with 71,802 diagnoses.
• Syphilis: Infectious syphilis diagnoses increased by 1.7% to 9,535 cases, the highest number reported since 1948.
• Genital Herpes: First episode diagnoses increased by 3.5% to 27,867.
• Genital Warts: First episode diagnoses decreased by 4.3% to 25,056.

In-Depth Look at Key STIs

Syphilis: A Continued Rise

Syphilis continues to be a major public health concern, with cases reaching a modern-day high.

• Infectious Syphilis: Diagnoses rose to 9,535 in 2024, a 1.7% increase from 2023.
• Overall Syphilis Cases: When including late-stage or complicated infections, the total number of diagnoses increased by 4.6% to 13,030.
• Demographics: While historically concentrated in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), there has been a notable increase in diagnoses among heterosexual men and women.

Gonorrhoea: A Welcome Decrease, with a Caveat

While the overall decrease in gonorrhoea is positive, the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains is a serious concern.

• Overall Decrease: Diagnoses fell by 15.9% from 85,370 in 2023 to 71,802 in 2024.
• Youth Impact: The largest drop was seen in young people aged 15 to 24.
• Antibiotic Resistance: There is a concerning acceleration in diagnoses of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea. This means that primary treatments are becoming less effective, making the infection harder to cure.

Chlamydia: Still the Most Common

Chlamydia remains the most frequently diagnosed STI in the UK, accounting for nearly half of all new diagnoses.

• Total Diagnoses: 168,889 new cases were diagnosed in 2024.
• Decrease in Testing: The number of chlamydia tests carried out decreased by 10.7% in 2024. This suggests the fall in diagnoses may be partly due to fewer people getting tested.
• Youth Focus: It continues to disproportionately affect young people under the age of 25.

Who is Most Affected? Key Demographics

STI trends are not uniform across the population. Certain groups continue to be more affected than others.

• Age: Young people aged 15 to 24 remain the group with the highest rates for most STIs.
• Gender:
  • Men: Account for a larger proportion of gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses.
  • Women: Have higher rates of chlamydia diagnoses.
• Men who have Sex with Men (MSM): This group continues to see high rates of STIs, particularly syphilis and gonorrhoea, although there was a slight decrease in new diagnoses in 2024.

The Importance of Regular Testing

The latest data underscores the critical importance of regular STI testing to prevent onward transmission and protect your health. Many STIs can be asymptomatic, meaning you can have and pass on an infection without knowing it.

• If you have had condomless sex with new or casual partners, get tested.
• Women under 25 who are sexually active should be tested for chlamydia annually.
• Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are advised to test for HIV and STIs annually, or every 3 months if having condomless sex with new partners.

Regular testing is free, confidential, and the only way to be certain of your sexual health status.