Spotlight on sexually transmitted infections in the North West: 2025 data
Updated 8 October 2026
Applies to England
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Summary
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent an important public health problem in the North West. Of all the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)’s regions it has the second highest rate of new STIs in England.
40,894 new STIs were diagnosed in the North West population in 2025, a rate of 529 diagnoses per 100,000. Rates by upper tier local authority ranged from 242 new STI diagnoses per 100,000 in Westmorland and Furness to 1,174 new STI diagnoses per 100,000 in Manchester.
The number of new STIs diagnosed in the North West population decreased by 10% between 2024 and 2025. Changes were seen in the numbers of the 5 main STIs: syphilis decreased by 17%, gonorrhoea decreased by 7%, chlamydia decreased by 14%, genital herpes decreased by 2%, and genital warts decreased by 13%.
UKHSA recommends that local areas should be working towards achieving a chlamydia detection rate no lower than 3,250 per 100,000 among women aged 15 to 24 years and this is an indicator in the Public Health Outcomes Framework. In 2025, the chlamydia detection rate among North West women aged 15 to 24 years was 1,371 per 100,000 compared to 1,694 per 100,000 in 2024.
Rates of new STIs vary slightly between men and women (581 and 447 per 100,000, respectively). Where gender and sexual orientation are known, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) account for 25% of the North West population diagnosed with a new STI excluding chlamydia diagnoses reported via CTAD (65% of those diagnosed with syphilis and 57% of those diagnosed with gonorrhoea).
STIs disproportionately affect young people. The North West population aged between 15 and 24 years accounted for 40% of all new STI diagnoses in 2025. A steep decline has been seen in genital warts diagnosis rates in females aged 15 to 19 following the introduction in 2008 of vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus which causes genital warts, for girls. Recent years have seen fluctuating rates though, with a 98% decrease in the North West from 2016 to 2025.
The White ethnic group has the highest number of new STI diagnoses: 29,268 (79%). Although 2% of new STIs are in the Black Caribbean ethnic group, they have the highest rate: 2,311 per 100,000, which is 5 times the rate seen in the White ethnic group. Where country of birth was known, 83% of the North West population diagnosed with a new STI in 2025 (excluding chlamydia diagnoses reported via CTAD) were UK born. The rate of new STIs among people who lived in the most deprived areas (624 per 100,000) was 2.2 times higher than the rate for people who live in the least deprived areas (281 per 100,000).
This report focuses on the trends in STIs between 2024 and 2025. However, some trends relative to 2019 or earlier are also included to provide a comparison to sexual health service provision and STI diagnoses prior to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021. For England, the numbers of consultations, sexual health screens and STI diagnoses in 2020 and 2021 are lower than preceding years and any trends during periods which include those years must be interpreted in that context.
Conclusion
Overall, in the North West, there was a reduction in the number of STIs diagnosed in 2025, compared to 2024. However, the North West remained the region with the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections (after London). STIs have disproportionately impacted young people aged 20 to 24, GBMSM, people of Black Caribbean ethnicity, and people living in areas of higher deprivation. Local health services should continue to place a strong priority on early detection, prevention, and focused interventions, especially in groups with greater sexual health needs.
Prevention messages
Main prevention messages include:
- Sexual health clinics are free, confidential, and available to everyone. They provide testing, post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment for STIs and HIV, as well as vaccination and contraception
- using condoms consistently and correctly with new or casual partners protects against HIV and other STIs
- testing is recommended if you have had sex without a condom with a new or casual partner in the last 3 months, or if a partner has tested positive for an STI. In addition:
- women and other people with a womb aged under 25 who are sexually active should have a chlamydia test after sex with a new partner or annually
- gay and bisexual men (GBMSM) with new or casual partners should test for HIV and STIs annually or every 3 months if having sex without condoms with new or casual partners
- prevention medications (known as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis) can prevent HIV and some STIs
- doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) is recommended to people at risk of syphilis to reduce their chance of infection. DoxyPEP is available at specialist sexual health clinics
- HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces an individual’s risk of getting HIV. PrEP is available from specialist sexual health clinics
- HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be taken after sex to reduce the risk of getting HIV. PEP is available for free from most sexual health clinics and most emergency departments
- vaccination can prevent some STIs and blood-borne viruses
- GBMSM can get the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines from specialist sexual health clinics. These vaccines are also available for other people with a higher risk of exposure to these viruses
- GBMSM aged 45 years and younger can get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine from specialist sexual health clinics. This protects against genital warts and some forms of cancer
- GBMSM who have recently had multiple sexual partners or an STI and other people at higher risk are eligible for a meningococcal B disease vaccine (4CMenB) which can protect against gonorrhoea
- Mpox vaccination is available for people at increased risk, including GBMSM who have recently had multiple sexual partners
- Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines are also part of the routine childhood vaccination programme: catch-up vaccines are available for people who missed them at school
STIs in the North West
Figure 1. New STI diagnosis rates by UKHSA region of residence, England, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 1 is a bar chart showing the rate of new STI diagnoses by region. The North West had the second highest rate in England (529 per 100,000), with London having the highest rate.
Figure 2. Number of diagnoses of the 5 main STIs (North West, 2016 to 2025): A) all 5 STIs, B) excluding chlamydia (expanded scale)
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD.
It is important to consider whether there have been any changes to testing practices when interpreting increases or decreases in chlamydia.
Figure 2A shows trend lines of the number of diagnoses of syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital herpes and genital warts for North West residents from 2016 to 2025. Chlamydia remains the most diagnosed bacterial STI, in part reflecting the wide availability of chlamydia testing across a range of settings. The figure shows that chlamydia increased from 2020 to 2023, but diagnoses declined in 2024 and fell further in 2025 (14% decrease from 2024 to 2025). A similar trend has been seen for gonorrhoea, decreasing to 7,867 diagnoses in 2025 (7% percentage decrease from 2024 to 2025). The number of diagnoses of syphilis, genital herpes, and genital warts are smaller in comparison to chlamydia and gonorrhoea and therefore the trend is difficult to see due to the scale used for this figure.
Figure 2B shows the number of diagnoses of syphilis, gonorrhoea, genital herpes and genital warts excluding chlamydia for North West residents from 2016 to 2025. Diagnoses of genital herpes and genital warts declined by 13% and 65% respectively between 2016 and 2025. Number of diagnoses of syphilis are low in comparison, but they increased by 51% between 2016 and 2024.
Table 1. Percentage change in new STI diagnoses, North West
| Diagnosis | 2019 | 2024 | 2025 | Percentage change 2019 to 2025 | Percentage change 2024 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 27,517 | 21,742 | 18,747 | -32% | -14% |
| Genital herpes | 4,397 | 3,822 | 3,757 | -15% | -2% |
| Genital warts | 6,406 | 3,297 | 2,883 | -55% | -13% |
| Gonorrhoea | 7,184 | 8,456 | 7,867 | 10% | -7% |
| Syphilis | 995 | 1,107 | 915 | -8% | -17% |
| Other | 7,890 | 7,122 | 6,725 | -15% | -6% |
| All new STIs | 54,389 | 45,546 | 40,894 | -25% | -10% |
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD.
See notes for Figure 2
See New STIs for a list of diagnoses included in the other STIs.
Table 1 shows that chlamydia was the most diagnosed STI among North West residents in 2025, with 18,747 diagnoses. Generally, new STI diagnoses saw a decrease of 10% between 2024 and 2025, with syphilis and chlamydia diagnoses decreasing the most with 17% and 14%, respectively.
Figure 3. Rates of new STIs per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only) and gender, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 3 shows the rates of new STI diagnoses among North West residents by age group and gender. The highest diagnosis rates were observed among females aged 20 to 24 years. Males aged 20 to 24 years also had the highest diagnosis rate within the male population.
Figure 4. Rates of new STIs per 100,000 by ethnic group, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021.
Figure 4 shows the rates of new STIs by ethnic groups per 100,000 residents in the North West in 2025. The rate of new STI diagnoses was highest among the Black Caribbean ethnic group (2,311 cases per 100,000) and the Black African ethnic group (1,651 per 100,000). The lowest rates were seen in the White (461 per 100,000) and Asian or Asian British (317 per 100,000) ethnic groups.
Table 2. Percentage of new STI diagnoses by ethnic group, North West, 2025
| Ethnic group | Number | Percentage (excluding unknown) |
|---|---|---|
| Asian or Asian British | 1,975 | 5% |
| Black African | 2,090 | 6% |
| Black Caribbean | 599 | 2% |
| All other Black ethnic groups combined | 307 | 1% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 1,976 | 5% |
| White | 29,268 | 79% |
| Other ethnic groups | 753 | 2% |
| Unknown | 3,926 |
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD and ONS Census 2021.
Table 2 shows that the highest number of new STI diagnoses were in people in the White ethnic group (29,268), representing 79% of all new STI diagnoses. The Asian or Asian British and Mixed or multiple ethnic groups made up 5% each. The Black Caribbean and Black African ethnic groups made up 2%, and 6%, respectively.
Figure 5. Percentage of new STI diagnoses by world region of birth [note 1], North West, 2025
Data source: GUMCAD data only.
Note 1: data on country of birth is not collected by CTAD. All information about world region of birth is based on diagnoses made in specialist and non-specialist services which report to GUMCAD.
Figure 5 shows the percentage of North West residents diagnosed with a new STI in 2025 by world region of birth. People born in the UK constitute the highest proportion of diagnoses (83%), followed by people born in the European Union born (5%), and Sub-Saharan Africa born (5%).
Figure 6. Rates of new STIs per 100,000 by decile of deprivation [note 2], North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Index of Multiple Deprivation and Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Note 2: deciles run from 1 to 10 in order of decreasing deprivation, with 1 being the decile for the most deprived area. Deprivation is based on 2021 LSOAs, which is available for 96 % of GUMCAD data reported in 2025.
Figure 6 is a bar chart displaying the rate of new STI diagnoses in 2025 per 100,000 North West residents by decile of deprivation. Decile 1 is the most deprived while decile 10 is the least deprived. The rate of new STI diagnoses is similar across deciles 1 to 5. Among deciles 5 to 10 (the 6 least deprived deciles), the rate of new STI diagnoses increases with increased deprivation decile (from 281 to 592 diagnoses per 100,000 residents in deciles 10 and 5, respectively).
Figure 7. Diagnoses of the 5 main STIs among GBMSM [note 3], North West, 2016 to 2025
Data source: GUMCAD data only.
Note 3: data on sexual orientation is not collected by CTAD. All information about GBMSM is based on diagnoses made in specialist and non-specialist services which report to GUMCAD and exclude chlamydia diagnoses via online services.
Figure 7 shows trends of diagnoses of the 5 main STIs (chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, and syphilis) among GBMSM North West residents from 2016 to 2025. The graph shows a significant fall in gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic followed by a consistent increase until 2022. Gonorrhoea diagnoses continued to increase between 2023 and 2025 while chlamydia diagnoses levelled off, and syphilis diagnoses fell slightly.
Table 3. Percentage change in new STI diagnoses among GBMSM [note 4], North West
| Diagnosis | 2019 | 2024 | 2025 | Percentage change 2019 to 2025 | Percentage change 2024 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 1,999 | 2,082 | 2,154 | 8% | 3% |
| Genital herpes | 191 | 230 | 239 | 25% | 4% |
| Genital warts | 368 | 239 | 211 | -43% | -12% |
| Gonorrhoea | 2,921 | 3,905 | 4,312 | 48% | 10% |
| Syphilis | 624 | 762 | 568 | -9% | -25% |
| Other | 998 | 1,046 | 1,076 | 8% | 3% |
| All new STIs | 7,101 | 8,264 | 8,560 | 21% | 4% |
Note 4: data on sexual orientation is not collected by CTAD. All information about GBMSM is based on diagnoses made in specialist and non-specialist services which report to GUMCAD and exclude chlamydia diagnoses via online services.
See New STIs for a list of diagnoses included in the other STIs.
Table 3 shows the number of diagnoses of chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, and syphilis among GBMSM North West residents in 2025 and the percentage change between 2019 and 2025. The overall number of new STI diagnoses among GBMSM North West residents rose by 4% from 2024 to 2025. Gonorrhoea was the most common STI with 4,312 new diagnoses among GBMSM in 2025. The largest percentage increase from 2024 to 2025 was also seen in gonorrhoea, which increased by 10%. The only decrease from 2024 to 2025 was seen in syphilis and genital warts diagnoses which fell by 25% and 12% respectively.
Figure 8. Diagnoses of the 5 main STIs among heterosexual men and all women [note 5], North West, 2016 to 2025
Data source: GUMCAD data only.
Note 5: data on sexual orientation is not collected by CTAD. All information here is based on diagnoses made in specialist and non-specialist services which report to GUMCAD and exclude chlamydia diagnoses via online services. Cases are defined here as GUMCAD records where gender is specified as male and sexual orientation is specified as heterosexual, or gender was specified as female, or gender was not specified but orientation was specified as heterosexual. GUMCAD records where sexual orientation was not specified for males or unknown gender individuals are excluded.
Figure 8 shows trends of diagnoses of the 5 main STIs (chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, and syphilis) among non-GBMSM North West residents from 2016 to 2025. The graph shows a significant decline in gonorrhoea, chlamydia and genital warts in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea numbers started to rise again in 2021 and 2022 but decrease between 2023 and 2025. Genital herpes diagnoses levelled off, and genital warts diagnoses fell slightly.
Table 4. Percentage change in new STI diagnoses among heterosexual men and all women [note 6], North West
| Diagnosis | 2019 | 2024 | 2025 | Percentage change 2019 to 2025 | Percentage change 2024 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 21,690 | 13,909 | 11,200 | -48% | -19% |
| Genital herpes | 4,147 | 3,538 | 3,463 | -16% | -2% |
| Genital warts | 5,897 | 2,946 | 2,578 | -56% | -12% |
| Gonorrhoea | 4,088 | 4,206 | 3,236 | -21% | -23% |
| Syphilis | 331 | 291 | 306 | -8% | 5% |
| Other | 6,469 | 5,889 | 5,470 | -15% | -7% |
| All new STIs | 42,622 | 30,779 | 26,253 | -38% | -15% |
Data source: GUMCAD data only.
Note 6: data on sexual orientation is not collected by CTAD. All information here is based on diagnoses made in specialist and non-specialist services which report to GUMCAD and exclude chlamydia diagnoses via online services. Cases are defined here as GUMCAD records where gender is specified as male and sexual orientation is specified as heterosexual, or gender was specified as female, or gender was not specified but orientation was specified as heterosexual. GUMCAD records where sexual orientation was not specified for males or unknown gender individuals are excluded.
See New STIs for a list of diagnoses included in the other STIs.
Table 4 shows the number of diagnoses of chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, and syphilis among non-GBMSM North West residents in 2025 and the percentage change between 2019 and 2025. The overall number of new STI diagnoses among non-GBMSM North West residents declined by 15% from 2024 to 2025. Chlamydia was the most common STI with 11,200 new diagnoses among non-GBMSM in 2025. The largest percentage decrease from 2024 to 2025 was seen in gonorrhoea and chlamydia, which decreased by 23% and 19%. The only increase from 2024 to 2025 was seen in syphilis diagnoses which rose by 5%.
Figure 9. Rate of new STI diagnoses per 100,000 by upper tier local authority, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 9 shows the rate of new STI diagnoses in 2025 among North West residents by upper tier local authority, compared to the regional (529 diagnoses per 100,000) and England (570 diagnoses per 100,000) rates. The rates in local authorities ranged from 242 per 100,000 in Westmorland and Furness to 1,174 per 100,000 in Manchester. Four local authorities had a rate above the England rate (Manchester (1,174), Salford (1,022), Blackpool (920), and Liverpool (863).
Figure 10. Rate of new STI diagnoses (excluding chlamydia diagnoses among people aged under 25 years) [note 7] per 100,000 by upper tier local authority, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Note 7: chlamydia diagnoses in the target group for the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (those aged 15 to 24 years) are excluded as these diagnoses may reflect local implementation of screening.
Figure 10 shows the rate of new STI diagnoses (excluding chlamydia diagnoses in people below 25 years) per 100,000 population in 2025 among North West residents by upper tier local authority, compared to the regional (399 diagnoses per 100,000) and England (441 diagnoses per 100,000) rates. The rates in local authorities ranged from 167 per 100,000 in Westmorland and Furness to 927 per 100,000 in Manchester. Four local authorities had a rate above the England rate (Manchester (924), Salford (847), Blackpool (697), and Liverpool (638).
Figure 11. Map of new STI rates per 100,000 by upper tier local authority, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 11 is a map of new STI rates in 2025 across the North West by local authority. In general, urban areas of the North West (Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool) had higher STI rates compared to rural areas.
Figure 12. Map of new STI rates per 100,000 by middle super output area (MSOA21), North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 12 is a map of new STI rates per 100,000 residents by middle super output area (MSOA) in the North West, 2025. Urban areas of the North West (Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool) had higher STI rates compared to rural areas.
Figure 13. STI testing rate (excluding chlamydia in under-25-year-olds) [note 8] per 100,000, North West, 2012 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Note 8: chlamydia diagnoses in the target group for the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (those aged 15 to 24 years) are excluded as these diagnoses may reflect local implementation of screening.
Figure 13 is a line graph showing the trend lines for the STI testing rate among North West and England residents from 2012 to 2025. The graph excludes chlamydia diagnoses in those aged 25 and under. The testing rate fell in both the North West and England between 2019 and 2020 but has increased since. The testing rate in the North West is consistently lower over time when compared to the rate in England.
Figure 14. STI testing positivity rate (excluding chlamydia in under-25-year-olds) [note 9], North West, 2012 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD.
Note 9: chlamydia diagnoses in the target group for the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (those aged 15 to 24 years) are excluded as these diagnoses may reflect local implementation of screening.
Figure 14 shows the trends for the STI positivity rate (excluding chlamydia in those aged under 25 years) in the North West and England residents from 2012 to 2025. It shows that there was a sharp increase in positivity in the North West to 9% in 2022. Since then, it has declined to 6% in 2025, about the same level as the England rate.
Table 5. Number of diagnoses of new STIs by UKHSA region of residence, data source and sexual health service type, 2025
| UKHSA region of residence | GUMCAD: specialist SHSs |
GUMCAD: non-specialist SHSs [note 10] |
CTAD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | 13,724 (61%) |
4,076 (18%) |
4,711 (21%) |
22,511 |
| East of England | 17,420 (68%) |
2,042 (8%) |
6,139 (24%) |
25,601 |
| London | 79,241 (72%) |
10,529 (10%) |
19,826 (18%) |
109,596 |
| North East | 9,111 (70%) |
1,703 (13%) |
2,264 (17%) |
13,078 |
| North West | 31,340 (77%) |
4,738 (12%) |
4,816 (12%) |
40,894 |
| South East | 28,757 (75%) |
1,649 (4%) |
7,914 (21%) |
38,320 |
| South West | 14,333 (64%) |
3,777 (17%) |
4,360 (19%) |
22,470 |
| West Midlands | 20,450 (74%) |
4,133 (15%) |
2,877 (10%) |
27,460 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 18,720 (72%) |
1,636 (6%) |
5,467 (21%) |
25,823 |
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD.
Note 10: diagnoses from enhanced GPs reporting to GUMCAD are included in the ‘Non-specialist sexual health services (SHSs)’ total.
Table 5 shows the number of diagnoses of new STIs in 2025 by UKHSA region of residence, data source, and sexual health service type. It shows that, in 2025, the highest number of new STIs were diagnosed in London residents (109,596), and the lowest in North East residents (13,078). The majority of new STIs were diagnosed in specialist sexual health services. A total of 40,894 new STIs were diagnosed in North West residents in 2025.
Table 6. Number of diagnoses of the 5 main STIs by STI, data source and Sexual Health Service type, North West, 2025
| 5 main STIs | GUMCAD: specialist SHSs | GUMCAD: non-specialist SHSs [note 11] | CTAD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | 10,435 (56%) |
3,496 (19%) |
4,816 (26%) |
18,747 |
| Genital herpes | 3,733 (99%) |
24 (1%) |
- | 3,757 |
| Genital warts | 2,882 (100%) |
1 (<1%) |
- | 2,883 |
| Gonorrhoea | 6,711 (85%) |
1,156 (15%) |
- | 7,867 |
| Syphilis | 871 (95%) |
44 (5%) |
- | 915 |
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD.
Note 11: diagnoses from enhanced GPs reporting to GUMCAD are included in the ‘Non-specialist sexual health services (SHSs)’ total.
Table 6 shows the number of diagnoses of chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, syphilis, and gonorrhoea in 2025 in the North West by data source and sexual health service type. It shows that the majority of new STIs are diagnosed in specialist sexual health services.
Figure 15. Consultations by service medium, North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, NHS Fingertips.
Figure 15 shows the number of consultations in the North West by service medium (face-to-face, online, and telephone) between 2016 and 2025. Face-to-face consultations decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now relatively stable around 342,082 in 2025. Online consultations increased steadily over the period from 2016 to 2025. Telephone consultations rose between 2016 and 2021 but have declined since then. Overall, the total number of consultations in 2025 (490,851) was higher than in 2016 (453,611).
Figure 16. All consultations by age group, North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, NHS Fingertips.
Figure 16 shows consultation rates (per 100,000 population) in the North West by age group between 2016 and 2025. The highest consultation rates were observed among those aged 20 to 24 years. Rates in this age group decreased from 2019 to 2025. Similarly, rates in those aged 15 to 19 fell from 2019 to 2025. In contrast, consultation rates among those aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 years steadily increased from 2016 to 2025.
Chlamydia
Figure 17. Number of chlamydia diagnoses, North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD.
It is important to consider whether there have been any changes to testing practices when interpreting increases or decreases in chlamydia.
Figure 17 shows the number of chlamydia diagnoses in the North West from 2016 to 2025. Diagnoses decreased sharply in 2020, before rising to a peak in 2022. Since then, the number of diagnoses has declined, reaching 18,747 in 2025. Compared with 2016 (29,809 diagnoses), the number of chlamydia diagnoses in 2025 decreased by 37%.
Figure 18. Rates of chlamydia per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only), North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 18 shows the rate of chlamydia per 100,000 by age group in the North West from 2016 to 2025. The highest rates of chlamydia were observed among those aged 20 to 24 years, followed by those aged 15 to 19 years. Rates for age groups 35 to 44 and 45 to 64 are much lower but have increased slightly over the years. Apart from that, the trend over the years for each age group follows the general trend for chlamydia as described in Figure 17.
Figure 19. Rates of chlamydia per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only) and gender, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 19 shows rates of chlamydia per 100,000 in North West residents by age group and gender. The highest rates are seen in females aged 20 to 24 years.
Figure 20. Chlamydia detection rate per 100,000, females aged 15 to 24 years by upper tier local authority of residence, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, CTAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 20 shows the rate of new chlamydia detections per 100,000 population females aged 15 to 24 years in 2025 among North West residents by upper tier local authority, compared to the region (1,371 detection rate per 100,000) and England (1,348 detection rate per 100,000) rates. The rates in local authorities ranged from 955 per 100,000 in Westmorland and Furness to 2,597 per 100,000 in Blackpool.
Gonorrhoea
Figure 21. Number of gonorrhoea diagnoses, North West, 2016 to 2025
Data source: GUMCAD.
Figure 21 shows the number of gonorrhoea diagnoses in the North West from 2016 to 2025. Diagnoses decreased sharply in 2020, before rising steadily to a peak in 2023. Since then, the number of diagnoses has declined, reaching 7,867 in 2025. Compared with 2016 (3,624 diagnoses), the number of gonorrhoea diagnoses in 2025 increased by 117%.
Figure 22. Rates of gonorrhoea per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only), North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 22 shows the rate of gonorrhoea per 100,000 by age group in the North West from 2016 to 2025. The highest rates of gonorrhoea were observed among those aged 20 to 24 years, followed by those aged 25 to 34 years. Rates for age groups 35 to 44 and 45 to 64 are lower but have increased in the last years. Apart from that, the trend over the years for each age group follows the general trend for gonorrhoea as described in Figure 21.
Figure 23. Rates of gonorrhoea per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only) and gender, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 23 shows rates of gonorrhoea per 100,000 in North West residents by age group and gender. The highest rates are seen in males aged 25 to 34 and 20 to 24 years.
Figure 24. Rate of gonorrhoea diagnoses per 100,000 by upper tier local authority, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 24 shows the rate of gonorrhoea diagnoses per 100,000 population among North West residents by upper tier local authority, compared to the region (102 diagnoses per 100,000) and England (109 diagnoses per 100,000) rates. The rates in local authorities ranged from 24 per 100,000 in Westmorland and Furness to 298 per 100,000 in Manchester.
Genital warts
Figure 25. Number of genital warts diagnoses, North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD.
Figure 25 shows the number of genital warts diagnoses in the North West from 2016 to 2025. Diagnoses decreased sharply in 2020 and have remained stable since then, reaching 2,883 in 2025. Compared with 2016 (8,231 diagnoses), the number of genital warts diagnoses decreased by 65% in 2025.
Figure 26. Rates of genital warts per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only), North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census.
Figure 26 shows the rate of genital warts per 100,000 by age group in the North West from 2016 to 2025. The highest rates of genital warts were observed among those aged 25 to 34 years in recent years. Rates in the 20 to 24 years age group show a continuous decline since 2018. Apart from that, rates in all other age groups declined in 2020 and then remained relatively stable through to 2025.
Figure 27. Rates of genital warts per 100,000 aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 years by gender, North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 27 shows the rate of genital warts diagnoses per 100,000 population by gender among those aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 years in the North West between 2016 and 2025. The highest rates were observed among males aged 20 to 24 years. Rates in this group declined since 2018, reaching 81.8 per 100,000 in 2025. Among females aged 20 to 24 years, rates also declined since 2018, reaching 49.6 per 100,000 in 2025. Rates among those aged 15-19 years decreased between 2016 and 2020 and remained low throughout the subsequent years to 2025.
Figure 28. Rates of genital warts per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only) and gender, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 28 shows rates of genital warts per 100,000 in North West residents by age group and gender. The highest rates are seen in males aged 25 to 34 years.
Syphilis
Figure 29. Number of syphilis diagnoses, North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD.
Figure 29 shows the number of syphilis diagnoses in the North West from 2016 to 2025. Diagnoses decreased sharply in 2020 and have since increased to a peak in 2024, then fell again in 2025 (915 diagnoses). Compared with 2016 (604 diagnoses), the number of syphilis diagnoses increased by 51% in 2025.
Figure 30. Rates of syphilis per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only), North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 30 shows the rate of syphilis diagnoses per 100,000 population by age group in the North West between 2016 and 2025. The highest rates were observed among those aged 25 to 34 years. Rates in most age groups declined in 2020, increased to a peak in 2024 before declining again in 2025.
Figure 31. Rates of syphilis per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only) and gender, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 31 shows rates of syphilis per 100,000 in North West residents by age group and gender. The highest rates are seen in males aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 years.
Genital herpes
Figure 32. Number of genital herpes diagnoses, North West, 2016 to 2025
Data source: GUMCAD.
Figure 32 shows the number of genital herpes diagnoses in the North West from 2016 to 2025. Diagnoses decreased sharply in 2020 but have increased since then, reaching 3,757 in 2025. Compared with 2016 (4,317 diagnoses), the number of genital herpes diagnoses decreased by 13% in 2025.
Figure 33. Rates of genital herpes per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only), North West, 2016 to 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 33 shows the rate of genital herpes diagnoses per 100,000 population by age group in the North West between 2016 and 2025. The highest rates were observed among those aged 20–24 years. Rates in this group declined in 2020 and then slightly increased to 2025, similar to all other age groups.
Figure 34. Rates of genital herpes per 100,000 by age group (for those aged 15 to 64 years only) and gender, North West, 2025
Data sources: GUMCAD, ONS Census 2021 mid-year estimates.
Figure 34 shows rates of genital herpes per 100,000 in North West residents by age group and gender. The highest rates are seen in females aged 20 to 24 years.
Data sources
Find more information on local sexual health data sources in the UKHSA guide.
The gender and age group chart is restricted to those aged 15 to 64 years as information about STIs in those aged less than 15 years is considered highly sensitive. Analyses specific to this group are not provided in routine outputs. Rates for those aged 65 or older are withheld to ensure that no deductive disclosure is possible for the less than 15 years age group. The proportion of STIs in those aged less than 15 years or older than 64 years is very low.
GUMCAD surveillance system
This disaggregate reporting system collects information about attendances and diagnoses at specialist (Level 3) and non-specialist (Level 2) sexual health services. Information about the patient’s area of residence is collected along with demographic data and other variables. GUMCAD superseded the earlier KC60 system and can provide data from 2009 onwards. GUMCAD is the main source of data for this report.
Due to limits on how much personally identifiable information sexual health clinics are able to share, it is not possible to deduplicate between different clinics. There is a possibility that some patients may be counted more than once if they are diagnosed with the same infection (for infection specific analyses) or a new STI of any type (for new STI analyses) at different clinics during the same calendar year.
CTAD surveillance system
CTAD collects data on all local authority and NHS or NHS-commissioned chlamydia testing carried out in England. CTAD is comprised of all chlamydia (NAATs) tests for all ages (with the exception of conjunctival samples), from all venues and for all reasons. CTAD enables unified, comprehensive reporting of all chlamydia data, to effectively monitor the impact of the NCSP through estimation of the coverage of population screening, proportion of all tests that are positive and detection rates.
For services which report to GUMCAD and for which CTAD does not receive data on the patient’s area of residence (for example, SHSs), information about chlamydia diagnoses is sourced from GUMCAD data.
CTAD does not collect information about sexual orientation or country of birth. Reports from CTAD are excluded from figures in this report which relate to analyses by sexual orientation or world region of birth.
New STIs
New STI diagnoses comprise diagnoses of the following:
- chancroid
- Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
- donovanosis
- chlamydia
- gonorrhoea
- genital herpes (first episode)
- HIV (acute and AIDS defining)
- Molluscum contagiosum
- non-specific genital infection (NSGI)
- non-specific pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and epididymitis
- chlamydial PID and epididymitis (presented in chlamydia total)
- gonococcal PID and epididymitis (presented in gonorrhoea total)
- scabies
- pediculosis pubis
- syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent)
- trichomoniasis and genital warts (first episode)
- Mycoplasma genitalium, shigella
Calculations
Confidence Intervals were calculated using Byar’s method for numerators >= 10. For small numerators Byar’s method is less accurate and so an exact method based on the Poisson distribution is used.
ONS mid-year population estimates for 2024 were used as a denominator for rates (other than by ethnic group) for 2025. ONS estimates of population by ethnic group for the year 2021 were used as a denominator for rates by ethnic group for 2025. This is the first time that new estimates of population by ethnic group have been available since 2011. This must be considered if comparing rates for 2025 in this report with rates by 2024 in last year’s report, as the rates in the last report used the 2011 estimates.
Interpreting trends
When interpreting trends in the number of STI diagnoses it is important to consider the potential impact of changes to testing, vaccination programmes and the availability of interventions (such as prophylaxis). Specifically, diagnostic testing for gonorrhoea and genital herpes now includes in some areas highly sensitive testing using nucleic acid amplification tests. Additionally, there is some screening of GBMSM at extra-genital sites. Where in place, both will have led to increased case ascertainment of gonorrhoea and genital herpes. Local testing practices for all STIs may vary.
More information
As of 2020, all analyses for this report include data from non-specialist (Level 2) SHSs and enhanced GP services as well as specialist (Level 3) SHSs.
For more information, see the online Sexual and Reproductive Health Profiles.
For more information on HIV data, see the separate HIV Spotlight report.
For more information on local sexual health data sources, see the UKHSA guide.
Local authorities have access to The Summary Profile of Local Authority Sexual Health (SPLASH) Reports (accessible from the Sexual and Reproductive Health Profiles) and the SPLASH supplement reports via the HIV and STI Data exchange.