Europe

Europe: Sexually Transmitted Infection Cases Hit Decade High

Is this a systemic healthcare failure or the result of declining personal responsibility?

Published MAY 22

Europe: Sexually Transmitted Infection Cases Hit Decade High

Story

Above: Medical instruments in the medical office of a general practitioner in southeastern France on April 2. Image credit: Nicolas Guyonnet/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

New data show gonorrhoea cases across Europe reached 106,331 in 2024 — a 303% increase since 2015 — while syphilis more than doubled over the same period to 45,577 cases, marking the highest levels recorded in over a decade. The results were published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Thursday.
The Independent
Firstpost
Congenital syphilis cases nearly doubled from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024 across 14 reporting countries, the highest figure recorded in Europe since the ECDC began Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) surveillance, with Bulgaria, Hungary and Portugal accounting for more than half of all cases.
EuroNews
Brussels Signal
Chlamydia remained the most frequently reported STI in Europe with 213,443 cases in 2024, while lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) recorded 3,490 cases.
Irish Examiner
Health And Me
ECDC officials cited several possible factors behind the surge, including declining condom use, a rise in the number of sexual partners, increased use of dating apps and post-pandemic behavioral changes, particularly among younger populations.
EuroNews
CIDRAP
Thirteen of 29 reporting European countries still reportedly charge out-of-pocket costs for basic STI tests, and many national prevention strategies do not account for post-pandemic behavioral changes. Ireland was cited in the report as a positive example after expanding free online home self-sampling kits since late 2022.
TheJournal.ie
CIDRAP
The ECDC issued guidance in January 2026 on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) for high-risk individuals, while advising against its widespread use for gonorrhoea due to concerns over antimicrobial resistance. The agency urged governments to update national STI strategies and strengthen surveillance systems.
LBC
Europa

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Europe's STI crisis is a public health emergency driven by widening gaps in testing, prevention and access to care — 13 out of 29 countries still charge out-of-pocket costs for basic STI tests. Gonorrhea cases exploded 303% since 2015, and congenital syphilis nearly doubled in 2024 alone. Without urgent investment in accessible testing, faster treatment and stronger sexual education, these trends will keep worsening and deepen health inequalities.

EuroNews

CIDRAP

Narrative B

Europe's record STI surge is a direct consequence of declining condom use and rising numbers of sexual partners, especially among younger populations. Gonorrhea hit 106,331 cases in 2024 — the highest since surveillance began in 2009 — and antibiotic-resistant strains are making treatment harder. Personal responsibility and consistent protection remain the most immediate tools available to stop transmission.