Europe faces a sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections

Yesterday 12:10

By: Azzat Manal

Europe faces a sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections

Europe has experienced a significant increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in recent years, with health authorities reporting particularly strong growth in cases of gonorrhea and syphilis. The trend suggests that the increase cannot be explained simply by improved diagnosis and reporting, with experts pointing to a genuine rise in transmission.

According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the number of reported gonorrhea cases in Europe reached around 100,000 in 2024, more than three times the level recorded in 2015. Syphilis infections also increased substantially, with approximately 46,000 cases reported, more than double the figure recorded a decade earlier.

Chlamydia has followed a different trajectory. After reaching a peak in 2022, reported infections subsequently declined, bringing the number closer to levels observed in 2015.

The evolution of STI rates has been particularly notable since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the period of lockdowns and social restrictions, transmission declined in many European countries as social interactions and sexual contacts were reduced. From 2021 onward, however, infections began rising again as restrictions were lifted and social activity resumed.

Stella Kyriaki, who leads work on sexually transmitted infections at the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe, has emphasized that the figures reflect a real increase in transmission rather than simply a greater number of people being tested.

Several explanations have been proposed for the trend. Dating applications are sometimes cited as a factor because they can facilitate new social and sexual connections. However, Dutch physician Henry de Vries has argued that such platforms existed well before the recent increase in STI infections, suggesting that other behavioral and social factors may be more important.

One area of concern is the decline in condom use. Condoms remain an important method of reducing the risk of transmitting many sexually transmitted infections, but some people may be using them less consistently than in the past.

Another factor being examined is the growing use of pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, to prevent HIV infection. PrEP is highly effective at reducing the risk of HIV when taken as prescribed, but it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.

Some studies, including research involving men who have sex with men, have found associations between PrEP use and reduced condom use. Researchers have therefore investigated whether changes in sexual-health behavior among some PrEP users could contribute to the spread of infections such as gonorrhea and syphilis.

However, specialists caution against attributing the European STI increase to a single cause. Changes in sexual behavior, testing practices, access to healthcare, antibiotic resistance, awareness campaigns and the return of social interactions after the pandemic may all play a role.

The rise in infections also creates challenges for public-health systems. Gonorrhea, in particular, has become a major concern because the bacterium responsible for the infection is developing resistance to several antibiotics, potentially making some infections increasingly difficult to treat.

Health authorities therefore emphasize the importance of prevention, regular testing and early treatment. Expanding access to sexual-health services and improving public awareness can help identify infections earlier and reduce further transmission.

The European experience demonstrates that the decline in infections observed during the pandemic was not necessarily a permanent change. As social activity returned to normal, STI transmission also rebounded, highlighting the need for sustained prevention and surveillance rather than temporary interventions.