Gonorrhoea diagnoses decrease by 15.9%, as a new vaccine is set to be rolled out this summer. This accompanies an overall trend in the decrease of sexually transmitted infections diagnoses in England.
This morning, the UK Health Security Agency released statistics on STIs revealing that 364,750 diagnoses were recorded in 2024, a 8.8% decrease from the previous year.
Whilst diagnoses decreased for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and first episode genital warts, at 15.9%, 13%, and 4.3% respectively, they increased for all syphilis types by 4.6%.
Diagnoses rates were highest amongst those aged 15 to 24 years old, and for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, as well as some minority ethnic groups.
Additionally, for women aged 15 to 24 years old, who are recommended to be screened through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, a total of 53,166 diagnoses were registered, a decrease of 18% over the year.
The data team at Polimapper has visualised STI statistics by local authority in England, revealing geographical trends.
London boroughs saw the highest rates across multiple STI indicators. Lambeth registered the highest number of new STI diagnoses per 100,000 people in 2024, at 3,257, and the highest gonorrhoea diagnostic rate, at 1,114 people per 100,000.
Conversely, Forest of Dean (201), North Norfolk (213) and Rochford (219) registered the lowest new STI diagnoses rates in the country. View statistics in your area below.
About this map
The visualisation below shows STI diagnoses, detections and diagnostics in 2024 by local authority.
To view statistics in your area double click on the map or click here for the full page version.
Geodata context
In May, a gonorrhoea vaccine was announced. As part of a world-first programme, an existing jab used against meningococcal B disease will be administered as a vaccine against the STI in England and Wales from August 2025.
Richard Angell OBE, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust: “As worries grow about antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea strains, it is brilliant news that a vaccine is available and a game changer that the government will roll this out within months. This alone could cut 40% of new gonorrhoea cases.”
“We have been calling for the gonorrhoea vaccine rollout since the JCVI first advised it and are so pleased the new government has listened and moved at speed. It is important to test regularly for HIV and STIs and stay in charge of your sexual health. Vaccines are a key tool. We will work to ensure that people understand how they could benefit from and access vaccinations for gonorrhoea, mpox, HPV and hepatitis so that existing health inequalities are not exacerbated. We must not let good news like this be a secret”.
Speaking on the data released, Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Levels of STIs in this country remain a big threat to sexual wellbeing. These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners, particularly if they are antibiotic resistant. If you’ve had condomless sex with new or casual partners, either in the UK or overseas, get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you don’t have symptoms. Regular testing protects both you and those you’re having sex with.”
“From August, eligible people will also be offered vaccination to reduce the risk of gonorrhoea and we expect to see the immunisation programme have an impact on diagnoses of this infection in coming years. Please take up the vaccine if you are offered it.”
Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care, community, vaccination and screening services at NHS England: “STIs can have a major impact on your health so it’s good to see rates of gonorrhoea coming down and why, last month, we announced the rollout of the world-first vaccination programme for gonorrhoea which is a crucial step forward in providing protection against the infection.”
“Testing for STIs is free for those who need it and I would urge anyone who has had unprotected sex or started seeing a new partner to take the opportunity to get tested – helping to keep yourself and others safe.”
