Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health concern in England, despite an 8.8% decrease year-on-year, with 364,750 new diagnoses recorded in 2024.
Our sexual health experts have compiled the latest report for to show how average sexual health statistics and trends across the UK are changing. This includes topics like the most diagnosed STIs, demographic variations of diagnoses (where in the country they’re most common), testing and screening, and the STI knowledge across the UK.
The 10 must-know UK STI statistics
There were 364,750 new STI diagnoses in 2024, down by 8.8% from 2023
Despite a 13% decrease in diagnoses from 2023 to 2024, chlamydia remains the most diagnosed STI, with 168,889 cases in 2024
Men are 34.4% more likely to be diagnosed with an STI than women (201,191 cases in 2024 vs 149,656)
London is the region with the highest new STI diagnosis rate (122,420), followed by the North West (47,095)
The North East of England has the lowest rate of new STI diagnoses at 14,847
More than half of UK adults say they ‘never’ get tested for STIs (57%)
Two in five say they wouldn’t get tested for STIs despite showing symptoms
Less than one-third of people feel confident identifying the UK’s most common STIs
Only 50% of adults have used a condom in their lifetime, even though condoms are the only form of contraception that can prevent STIs
Nearly one fifth (17%) say they would end the relationship if their partner told them they had an STI
“These numbers highlight just how common STIs still are, and how much stigma surrounds them. It’s worrying to see so many adults say they never get tested, suggesting that people still see STIs as shameful or rare, when they’re incredibly common and very treatable. The most powerful thing you can do for your sexual health is to normalise talking about it with partners and friends, and to treat testing like any other part of your routine health care.”
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis rate in England
Despite society becoming more open to the topic of sex in recent years, many still class it as a ‘taboo’ subject. This lack of open conversation can lead to people not having enough knowledge about sex and STIs and can lead to risky sexual habits like having unprotected sex. Our recent survey of 2,004 UK adults found that only 50% of adults have used a condom in their lifetime, even though condoms are the only form of contraception that can prevent the stop of STIs.
According to NHS data, there were 354,750 new STI diagnoses in 2024. This is a decrease of -9% from 2023 (354,750 diagnoses compared to 399,947).
Data shows that men are more likely to be diagnosed with an STI than women, with the NHS seeing 201,191 new diagnoses for men in 2024 compared to 149,656 for women. Men have also seen the lowest YoY decrease in diagnoses, with just a -5% decrease from 2023 compared to -12% for women.
“We see that men are consistently less likely to go for testing yet have higher diagnosis rates. This suggests many men are unknowingly passing infections on. If you’re sexually active, it’s important to think of STI testing like getting a check-up at the dentist: don’t wait until you have a toothache. A simple test every few months, especially between new partners, can prevent a lot of stress later.”
Chlamydia tops the list when it comes to STI diagnoses. Despite a 13% diagnosis drop from 2023, it still accounted for 168,889 new cases in 2024, making it by far the most diagnosed STI in England.
Gonorrhoea remains the second most common, with 51,712 new cases recorded in 2024, staying broadly consistent with the 52,084 cases reported in 2023. Meanwhile, syphilis cases have been steadily increasing, rising from 8,354 cases in 2020 to 11,906 in 2024.
Genital herpes accounted for 19,425 new cases in 2024, while genital warts were reported 14,882 times, both showing stable levels over the past few years.
HIV diagnoses remain comparatively low, with just 1,785 new cases recorded in 2024, thanks to increased awareness from charities like the Terrence Higgins Trust and Brook, as well as national schemes such as National HIV Testing Week which have all helped boost testing, education, and access to preventative medication like PrEP.
“One of the biggest challenges with STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea is that they often don’t cause any obvious symptoms, particularly in women. You can often feel completely fine while an infection is silently progressing. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, and even difficulties getting pregnant. Regular testing can make a huge difference to women’s long-term health and fertility.”
Claire Irwin, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
“It’s a common misconception that STIs only cause problems for women, but they can have serious long-term effects for men too. Infections like chlamydia can impact sperm quality and lead to fertility issues, and untreated gonorrhoea can cause painful inflammation of the testicles and prostate. The tricky part is that many men won’t notice any symptoms at all, so they assume they’re fine when they might still be passing an infection on.”
Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
STI hotspots: Which UK regions are most affected?
According to NHS data, London has by far the highest number of new STI diagnoses, with 112,420 new cases recorded in 2024. That is more than double the next highest region, the North West, which saw 47,095 cases.
At the other end of the scale, the North East recorded the lowest number of new diagnoses in 2024 at 14,847, followed by the South West with 20,411.
While the numbers are highest in London, it’s important to remember that STIs can affect anyone. Wherever you live, regular testing and practising safe sex are the best ways to protect yourself and your partner(s).
Which London boroughs see the highest STI diagnosis rates?
London stands out as the epicentre of new STI diagnoses in England, with several boroughs recording rates more than three times the national average, according to 2023 Government data.
In 2023, the England-wide rate was around 845 per 100,000 people, yet Lambeth recorded 3,182 per 100,000 (10,045 cases).
Other inner boroughs such as Hackney (2,530), Southwark (2,506), and Westminster (2,281) also sit far above the national figure. On the other hand, many outer boroughs, like Richmond upon Thames (678) and Sutton (716), report rates less than a quarter of Lambeth’s.
STI rates in major cities across England
While none reach the high rates seen in central London, the Department of Health and Social Care reports that several of England’s largest cities still report well above the national average for new STI diagnoses.
In 2023, the national rate for new STI diagnoses (excluding under-25 chlamydia) was 845 per 100,000 people, yet Manchester recorded 1,106 per 100,000 (6,414 cases) and Brighton and Hove 1,023 per 100,000 (2,862 cases).
Other cities like Liverpool (857), Nottingham (727), Leeds (563), and Birmingham (465) also sit above or close to the national average.
STI testing attitudes in the UK
While STI testing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections, our survey shows that many people in the UK are still not getting tested regularly.
More than half of adults (57%) said they never get tested, and a further 15% said they have only been tested once. Just 13% reported testing at least once a year, and only 4% get tested every six months or more, which is much lower than the frequency recommended for sexually active people with new or multiple partners.
When people do get tested, it’s usually driven by specific triggers rather than routine checks. The most common reason people gave was being told by a previous partner that they had an STI (44%), followed closely by after having unprotected sex (40%), and if they developed symptoms (38%).
Others said they would get tested if they couldn’t remember what happened during sex after drinking or taking drugs (36%), or if they suspected a partner might be cheating (35%). One in three would also get tested if a partner asked them to (33%), and 27% would do so before starting a new relationship.
“A big misconception is that you only need to get tested if you have symptoms, but most STIs are silent. People imagine it will be awkward or invasive, but most tests take under five minutes and can be done at home. If you’re ever worried about your sexual health but feel too embarrassed to book a clinic appointment, you could try a home testing kit. It’s private, simple, and you’ll usually get the results within a few days.”
Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
Testing habits also vary between different age groups. Younger adults are far more proactive about their sexual health: those aged 18-24 are 45% more likely than over-45’s to have had an STI test in the last year. In contrast, almost three-quarters of over-55’s (74%) said they have never been tested, suggesting older adults may be underestimating their risk.
Gender makes a difference too. Men are less likely than women to get tested, with 61% of men saying they have never had an STI test compared to 53% of women.
Among those who do get tested, most rely on traditional in-person services. The survey found that 56% use sexual health clinics, and 23% go to their GP.
However, younger people are leading the update of newer methods. For instance, 18-24-year-olds were almost three times more likely than over-45s to use online or postal testing kits, showing how accessible and discreet services are helping younger generations engage with sexual health care more consistently.
For those who have never tested, the reasons are varied. Trust is the most common barrier, with 41% saying they feel they don’t need to test because they’re confident their partners are STI-free. A further 25% said testing feels awkward or embarrassing, while 22% said they wouldn’t know where to go.
Nearly one in five (18%) believe they’re low risk because they’ve not had many sexual partners, and one in 10 men admitted they worry a positive result could impact their relationship (compared to 4% of women).
“The fear of what a positive result might mean can also hold people back from regular testing. However, finding out is the first step to getting treated, and most STIs are easy to clear with medication. The earlier you get diagnosed, the easier they are to treat, and you’re protecting your partners too.”
Claire Irwin, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
STI knowledge and awareness in the UK
Despite STIs being common and often treatable, only 38% of adults say they feel confident recognising the symptoms of common STIs. Confidence drops steadily with age, from 49% of 18-24-year-olds and 46% of 25-34s, to just 33% of those aged 55 and over, showing how older adults are less certain about spotting potential symptoms.
While just over half (53%) feel they could correctly identify chlamydia and 35% could identify gonorrhoea, awareness falls even more for herpes (34%), HPV/genital warts (22%), and syphilis (19%). Only 16% believe they could confidently recognise HIV and 15% for public lice, while just over one in ten (13%) said they wouldn’t be able to recognise any STIs.
The lack of knowledge seems to play a role in people’s sexual behaviour. When asked about risky sexual practices, nearly one in three adults (32%) admitted to having had unprotected sex with someone they had just met or not disclosing an STI status to a partner.
Younger people were far more likely to take these risks, with 37% of 18-24-year-olds compared to 33% of 45-54s.
“It’s important not to rely on symptoms to tell you when something’s wrong. Some infections can stay hidden for months or even years. Instead, focus on regular testing and using protection. Learning the signs is helpful, but it’s not a replacement for proper screening.”
Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
Condom use: How protected are we?
Although condoms are the only form of contraception that protect against STIs, our survey shows that most people in the UK don’t use them consistently.
The most common reason for skipping condoms is trust, with 41% saying they don’t feel the need to use them because they are confident their partner is STI-free. This belief becomes more prominent with age, rising from 35% of 18-24-year-olds to 47% of 25-34s, and 42% of 45-54s, suggesting that people in long-term or stable relationships see condoms as unnecessary, even though some STIs can sometimes be symptomless for years.
“A lot of people stop using condoms once they feel they can ‘trust’ a partner, but trust isn’t the same as protection. Some STIs can lie dormant for years without symptoms so it’s worth keeping condoms in the mix until you’ve both been tested and shared the results with each other.”
Claire Irwin, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
Concerns about pleasure are another major barrier, especially among younger people and men. Nearly one in three 18-24s (29%) said condoms reduce sexual pleasure, and men were more likely to say this compared to women (35% vs 25%).
Reliance on other forms of contraception is another key factor. Almost a third of 18-24s (32%) said they don’t use condoms because they’re on another form of contraception, compared to just 13% of over-55s, even though methods like the pill and the implant offer no protection against STIs.
“If comfort is putting you off condoms, try experimenting with different types. There’s a huge variety now, so it’s worth finding a brand or style that works best for you rather than ditching them altogether.”
Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at Chemist4U
Key takeaways from out experts
Test between partners or at least twice a year if you’re sexually active
Don’t wait for symptoms; many STIs are silent
Use condoms consistently, especially with new or casual partners
Have open conversations with partners about your sexual health
Use home tests if you feel nervous about visiting your GP or a sexual health clinic
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