Why are infections of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis rising in Europe?

A report has painted a worrying picture of the infection rates of certain STIs on the European continent.

According to the latest data from the ECDC, released on February 10, 2025, the rates of bacterial infections like Gonorrhoea and Syphilis have increased once again across the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA).

If you’ve had unprotected sex and want to get checked for STIs, get the Better2Know Full STI Screen, which tests for the UK’s seven most common infections.

What’s happening?

Nearly 100,000 new Gonorrhoea cases were reported, marking a record high, up from approximately 74,000 in 2022. This figure is over four times the number of annual cases reported a decade ago.

Gonorrhoea cases were most prevalent among women aged 20-24 and men aged 25-34. Men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for more than half of all infections.

Syphilis rates also increased by 13% compared to 2022, with over 40,000 reported cases. About half of these were among MSM.

Chlamydia remains the most commonly reported STI in Europe, with particularly high prevalence among women and men aged 20-24, at 577 cases per 100,000 people.

Lack of condom use is largely to blame for the rise in numbers

These numbers have health experts concerned, but there may be a simple explanation.

Condom use, especially amongst young people, has been dropping.

While younger people are having less sex overall, research has shown that sexually active high schoolers in the US and Canada are using condoms 7% less often.

This decrease has been mirrored in Europe, with high rates of unprotected sex being reported among young people. This decrease in condom use is pervasive, spanning multiple countries and regions.

The UK has seen a sharp rise in the number of Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and Syphilis cases among people aged 15-24. 

Such a widespread reduction in condom use is likely driving the rise in bacterial STIs in Europe. A 2024 World Health Organization report found that one in five boys and one in seven girls aged 15 reported being sexually active, with 30% using no contraception.

Why are young people using condoms less often?

The decline in condom use is due to various complex factors.

The perceived risk of getting an STI, especially infections like HIV, has dropped. Most STIs are regarded as easily treatable with medication, so fewer precautions during sex may be taken.

Condom use also changes along socioeconomic lines. According to the WHO, adolescents from low-income families in Europe were more likely to report not using condoms or contraceptive pills during their last sexual encounter, with rates of 33% for low-income teens compared to 25% for their affluent peers.

MSM account for most bacterial STI cases but are also the most likely to get tested regularly and seek treatment. Heterosexual people may not be as aware of the risks of STIs, increasing the risk of infection.

Sexual health education on the continent has also been seen as a stumbling block. Countries need to increase efforts to provide young people with valuable information, secure environments for discussing sexuality and consent, as well as essential life skills to help them make informed decisions about sex that can impact their futures.

Possible genetic changes driving Gonorrhoea rates

Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, and Chlamydia are bacterial infections mostly transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex. While Gonorrhoea and Syphilis rates are rising, Chlamydia rates are declining. Scientists can’t explain these contrasting trends, given their similar transmission methods.

The rising rates of Gonorrhoea may also be connected to strains of these infections that have developed antibiotic resistance. The ECDC states that “[the] emergence of drug-resistant strains threatens the effectiveness of current treatments, making it crucial to emphasise prevention and promote responsible antibiotic use. ECDC actively monitors AMR trends in Neisseria gonorrhoea and works with countries to strengthen surveillance and implement strategies to combat resistance.” 

The ECDC report also posited other causes, including the rise in STI testing among some populations, changes in sexual risk behaviour, and a larger variety of sexual partners.

Safe sex needs to be the norm

The ECDC report was clear about the need for more prevalent and consistent condom use:

“ECDC emphasises the importance of proactive measures to address the rising STI rates. Using condoms consistently for vaginal, anal and oral sex is crucial for prevention. Open and honest communication about sexual health with partners can also help reduce the risk of STI transmission.”

Sexually active people should continue to use condoms to prevent the spread of STIs in Europe, and should limit risky sexual behaviours where possible.

Stigma towards these infections is one of the main reasons people don’t go to a doctor or seek help. Some experts have also pointed to social behaviours, like chemsex and the use of dating apps that create environments that facilitate casual encounters and increase STI transmission risk.

What does safe sex look like?

Safe sex can only occur between two uninfected people in committed monogamous relationships. In all other cases, partners should use a condom.

If you’re going to have sex with a new partner without a condom, you should get tested for STIs beforehand.

If you don’t manage to get tested beforehand, get tested after having unprotected sex, especially if you start to experience common symptoms of STIs, like pain during urination, unusual discharge, rashes around the genitals or mouth, or flu-like symptoms such as fever and body aches.

Final thoughts

If you’re worried about a recent sexual encounter, you should get tested with Better2Know.

Click the button below to schedule a sexual health test near you. You can also call the number listed at the top of this page to speak to a member of our Patient Services team. They can speak to you about your situation and help you come up with a plan of action that will protect your sexual health.

Don’t leave your sexual health to chance. Get tested today with Better2Know.

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