In 2024, fewer people were tested at a Sexual Health Center (CSG) for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than in 2023. A total of 159,252 consultations represented a decrease of 7 percent compared to the previous year. This decline was particularly evident among women and heterosexual men. The percentage that had an STI (20 percent) was comparable to 2023. This is evident from the STI annual overview 2024 from the RIVM, which describes the developments of STIs, including the number of tests and diagnoses per STI in the Netherlands.
General Practitioners
In addition to testing at a CSG Sexual Health Center (Sexual Health Center), people can also get tested through their general practitioner for an STI sexually transmitted infection (sexually transmitted infection). In 2023, general practitioners registered an estimated total of 345,163 STI-related consultations. This is 7% more than in 2022 (320,089). The figures from general practitioners for 2024 are not yet available.
Chlamydia
In 2024, there were fewer chlamydia diagnoses than in 2023: 20,174 compared to 24,084. The percentage of women with chlamydia decreased from 16.8 percent in 2023 to 15.3 percent. The percentage of heterosexual men with chlamydia was comparable (19.6 percent in 2023 and 19.2 percent in 2024). The percentages of men who have sex with men (MSM) and MSM using PrEP decreased from 10.2 to 9.3 and from 9.1 to 8.3 percent.
Gonorrhea
The number of gonorrhea diagnoses (13,952) was virtually the same as in 2023 (13,853). The percentage of women with gonorrhea remained high at 4.2 percent (4.1 percent in 2023), the highest since measurements began in 2003. The percentage of heterosexual men with gonorrhea also remained high at 3.7 percent (3.5 percent in 2023). The percentage among MSM increased from 14.1 in 2023 to 15.0 percent. Among MSM PrEP, the percentage remained stable at 11.9 percent (11.7 percent in 2023). No antibiotic resistance against the current first choice antibiotic for gonorrhea (ceftriaxone) has been reported.
Syphilis
There were more syphilis diagnoses than in 2023 (1,798 versus 1,693). The percentage of MSM with syphilis was similar to 2023 at 2.4 percent (2.3 percent). Among MSM PrEP, this percentage remained the same (1.8 percent in 2023 and 2024). The number of diagnoses among women and heterosexual men rose to 39 and 59, respectively.
PrEP: a medication that prevents HIV human immunodeficiency virus (human immunodeficiency virus)
Since August 2019, the CSGs have been piloting care for MSM receiving a medication that prevents HIV (PrEP). MSM who come for PrEP care at the CSGs are referred to as MSM PrEP. This care became a permanent part of CSG care in August 2024. During the pilot, 17,370 people received PrEP care. The number of consultations among this group was 9 percent lower in 2024 than in 2023: a total of 29,870 consultations.
HIV
In 2024, 1,013 people with HIV were newly registered in care at HIV treatment centers, a slight increase from 985 in 2023. Of these, 413 had a new HIV diagnosis. An overview of the key figures is available in an infographic in the report ‘Sexually transmitted infections in the Netherlands in 2024’.
In light of the described developments, the RIVM recently advised the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to start a new nationwide targeted campaign to promote condom use and awareness.