Sharp rise in gonorrhoea and syphilis in Europe, including Netherlands
The number of sexually transmitted infections with gonorrhea and syphilis has increased significantly in Europe over the past decade, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported, based on figures from 2024, the latest available. Infections have also increased explosively in the Netherlands, particularly since 2020.
In 2024, there were 106,331 cases of gonorrhea in Europe, three times as many as in 2025. The number of syphilis infections doubled in that period to 45,557. In the Netherlands, the number of infections with these diseases rose sharply since 2020. Syphilis cases went from 1,526 to 2,173 between 2020 and 2024, and gonorrhea cases rose from 6,826 to 13,952.
Transmission trends vary significantly across different population groups. Men who have sex with men are the most disproportionately affected group, with the steepest long-term increase in STIs for both syphilis and gonorrhea. Among the heterosexual population, syphilis is rising most strongly among women of reproductive age, also causing an increase in congenital syphilis, in which the infection passes directly to newborns.
The ECDC urged European Union Member States to improve their STI prevention policies and provide better access to STI tests. These infections are far from harmless. “Untreated, these infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility, and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system,” said Bruno Ciancio of the ECDC.
The health agency also urged residents to be safe when having sex. “Protecting your sexual health remains straightforward. Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and get tested if you have symptoms, such as pain, discharge, or an ulcer,” Ciancio said.
