Data helps to focus and guide public health interventions, both globally and in countries, to improve the delivery of health services to all people. Strong STI surveillance systems are required to:
WHO provides global reports; collects and validates data with partners through the Global AIDS Monitoring mechanism; and develops guidelines for strategic information, case surveillance, patient monitoring, digital health and data use. The strategic information team works with regions and countries to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, which are a key building block in country health systems.
The estimated number of new cases of syphilis globally in adults 15 to 49 increased from 7.1 million (5.1 to 9.1 million) in 2020 to 8.0 million (5.6 to 10.4 million) in 2022.
The estimated global prevalence of active syphilis in 2022 was 0.6% (0.5-0.7%) in women and 0.6% (0.5-0.7%) in men.
Estimates of the number of new cases of syphilis among people aged 15‒49 years, by WHO region, 2016‒2022
Estimated prevalence of active syphilis in women aged 15-49 years, global and by WHO region, 2016–2022
The estimated number of congenital syphilis cases in 2022 was 700 000 and the congenital syphilis case rate was 523 per 100 000 live births.
This is over 10 times the WHO elimination of vertical (mother-to-child) transmission of syphilis threshold (50 per 100 000 live births).
Estimates of the number of congenital syphilis cases by WHO region, 2016–2022
Estimates of congenital syphilis case rates per 100 000 live births, global and by WHO region, 2016–2022
The number of adverse birth outcomes related to maternal syphilis infection in 2022 was 390 000. These adverse birth outcomes included:
Of the 390 000 syphilis related adverse birth outcomes in 2022:
Estimates of the number of adverse birth outcomes, global, by access to syphilis testing and treatment, 2016-2022
Estimates of syphilis testing coverage in antenatal care, global and by WHO region, 2016 to 2022
Source: Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes (HHS), WHO, 2024.
Note: Estimates are based on data in the public domain. The quantity of available data upon which to base the estimates varied by WHO region. In the absence of data, values were assigned based on the available regional data and assumed to remain constant over time. This may have masked changes over time in trends.
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