STI diagnoses remain high in England despite declines in some infections
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its annual report on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) in England. The data show that while STI diagnoses decreased by 8.3% between 2024 and 2025, the number of new diagnoses remains high, with more than 330,000 diagnoses recorded.
The report also highlights continuing inequalities in sexual health outcomes. STI diagnoses continue to be disproportionately high among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), young people aged 15 to 24 years, and people of Black Caribbean ethnicity.
What the data shows
The latest data show that:
- Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed STI in 2025, accounting for 45.2% of all new STI diagnoses.
- Gonorrhoea diagnoses fell by 10.9% compared with 2024, but remained the second most commonly diagnosed STI.
- Syphilis diagnoses decreased by 13.5% overall, but diagnoses increased among heterosexual women by 4.8%.
- People of Black Caribbean ethnicity had the highest rate of new STI diagnoses relative to population size, at 2,370 per 100,000 population.
- There were 4,450,076 consultations in sexual health services in 2025, of which 53.6% were delivered face-to-face and 42.2% online. The number of telephone consultations continued to decrease.
- The number of sexual health screens remained relatively constant with 2,368,291 screens in 2024 compared with 2,358,128 in 2025.
Prevention and testing remain essential
Although some STI diagnoses have declined, the data show that sexual health inequalities persist and that STI transmission remains a public health challenge.
Regular testing continues to be one of the most effective ways to prevent onward transmission and ensure people can access treatment early. The continued demand for sexual health services also demonstrates the importance of maintaining accessible and responsive services.
The latest data is a reminder that progress in sexual health is not experienced equally across all communities. Continued investment in prevention, testing and community engagement will be essential to ensure that services reach the populations most affected by STIs and those who face the greatest barriers to access.
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