GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sexual Health Statistics

Sexual health challenges persist; education, testing, prevention crucial worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Globally, around 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS as of 2021

Statistic 2

Worldwide, approximately 290,000 women died from complications related to unsafe abortions in 2019

Statistic 3

The worldwide teen pregnancy rate is approximately 44 pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15-19

Statistic 4

In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic led to a 10-20% decrease in STI testing and treatment services worldwide

Statistic 5

The average age of first sexual intercourse globally is around 17 years old

Statistic 6

Only about 54% of women worldwide have access to reproductive health services

Statistic 7

HPV vaccination coverage remains low globally, with around 20-30% of girls aged 9-14 receiving the vaccine in many countries

Statistic 8

Nearly 80% of cervical cancers are diagnosed in developing countries

Statistic 9

About 30% of women globally have experienced physical or sexual partner violence, which can hinder reproductive health

Statistic 10

The global average age of marriage for women is approximately 22 years, and for men, around 24 years

Statistic 11

The global adolescent birth rate is approximately 44 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19

Statistic 12

Globally, around 1 million abortions are performed illegally or unsafely each year, leading to significant health complications and death

Statistic 13

Approximately 1 in 4 new HIV infections in the United States occur among people aged 13-24

Statistic 14

Only around 50% of sexually active young people have ever been tested for HIV

Statistic 15

Approximately 85% of HIV transmission worldwide occurs through unprotected heterosexual sex

Statistic 16

Around 70% of new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa involve young people aged 15-24

Statistic 17

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains incurable, but early treatment can manage the disease and prevent transmission

Statistic 18

In the US, about 80% of new HIV diagnoses are among men who have sex with men (MSM)

Statistic 19

In the United States, Black Americans account for about 13% of the population but make up approximately 42% of new HIV diagnoses

Statistic 20

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by about 99%

Statistic 21

Only about 30% of young women aged 15-24 reported using a condom during last sexual intercourse

Statistic 22

Condom use at last sex was reported by 60% of sexually active women aged 15-24 in the US

Statistic 23

Only about 8% of women aged 15-44 in the US have ever received the HPV vaccine

Statistic 24

Approximately 60% of teen pregnancies in the US are unintended pregnancies

Statistic 25

Less than 50% of men aged 25-54 report using condoms consistently

Statistic 26

Young couples in many developing countries have limited access to contraceptives, contributing to higher rates of unintended pregnancy

Statistic 27

The use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs increased by 20% globally from 2010 to 2020

Statistic 28

In the US, over 60% of women who experience unintended pregnancies report consistent contraceptive use, indicating barriers to effective prevention

Statistic 29

In the United States, about 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur each year

Statistic 30

Gonorrhea rates have increased by approximately 67% in the US between 2015 and 2020

Statistic 31

Around 36.7% of women aged 15-44 in the US have experienced at least one instance of bacterial vaginosis

Statistic 32

Nearly 50% of new STI cases in 2020 were among individuals aged 15-24

Statistic 33

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for nearly 100% of cervical cancers

Statistic 34

There are over 150 types of HPV, some of which can cause genital warts or cancers

Statistic 35

The global prevalence of syphilis among adults is approximately 6 million annually

Statistic 36

About 1 in 5 sexually active teens in the US has contracted an STI

Statistic 37

In the US, teens aged 15-19 have the highest rates of chlamydia infections, with approximately 4,600 cases per 100,000 females in 2019

Statistic 38

In Europe, syphilis rates increased by 70% from 2010 to 2019

Statistic 39

In the US, about 35% of women aged 15-44 have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection at some point in their life

Statistic 40

The rate of syphilis in the US increased by 15% in 2021 compared to the previous year

Statistic 41

Only about 15% of sexually active teens in the US have been tested for STIs in the past year

Statistic 42

The prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in the world is estimated at 13%, primarily transmitted through sexual contact

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Key Highlights

Approximately 1 in 4 new HIV infections in the United States occur among people aged 13-24
Globally, around 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS as of 2021
In the United States, about 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur each year
Gonorrhea rates have increased by approximately 67% in the US between 2015 and 2020
Around 36.7% of women aged 15-44 in the US have experienced at least one instance of bacterial vaginosis
Nearly 50% of new STI cases in 2020 were among individuals aged 15-24
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by about 99%
Only around 50% of sexually active young people have ever been tested for HIV
Worldwide, approximately 290,000 women died from complications related to unsafe abortions in 2019
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for nearly 100% of cervical cancers
There are over 150 types of HPV, some of which can cause genital warts or cancers
The global prevalence of syphilis among adults is approximately 6 million annually
In the US, about 80% of new HIV diagnoses are among men who have sex with men (MSM)

With one in four new HIV infections in the U.S. occurring among youth aged 13-24 and nearly half of new STIs affecting this age group globally, sexual health remains a critical issue demanding urgent awareness, education, and action.

Global and Regional Health Statistics

Globally, around 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS as of 2021
Worldwide, approximately 290,000 women died from complications related to unsafe abortions in 2019
The worldwide teen pregnancy rate is approximately 44 pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15-19
In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic led to a 10-20% decrease in STI testing and treatment services worldwide
The average age of first sexual intercourse globally is around 17 years old
Only about 54% of women worldwide have access to reproductive health services
HPV vaccination coverage remains low globally, with around 20-30% of girls aged 9-14 receiving the vaccine in many countries
Nearly 80% of cervical cancers are diagnosed in developing countries
About 30% of women globally have experienced physical or sexual partner violence, which can hinder reproductive health
The global average age of marriage for women is approximately 22 years, and for men, around 24 years
The global adolescent birth rate is approximately 44 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19
Globally, around 1 million abortions are performed illegally or unsafely each year, leading to significant health complications and death

Global and Regional Health Statistics Interpretation

Despite reaching nearly 38 million people living with HIV and facing the stark reality that only half of women worldwide have access to reproductive health services, the global landscape of sexual health remains a precarious balance of progress and peril—highlighted by youthful pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and a concerning disparity in vaccination and cancer treatment, all occurring amid a pandemic that has further silenced essential testing and education.

HIV/AIDS and Transmission Patterns

Approximately 1 in 4 new HIV infections in the United States occur among people aged 13-24
Only around 50% of sexually active young people have ever been tested for HIV
Approximately 85% of HIV transmission worldwide occurs through unprotected heterosexual sex
Around 70% of new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa involve young people aged 15-24
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains incurable, but early treatment can manage the disease and prevent transmission

HIV/AIDS and Transmission Patterns Interpretation

Despite advancements in treatment, the stark reality that only half of sexually active youth have been tested, coupled with the high rates of transmission among young people—particularly through unprotected sex—underscores the urgent need for comprehensive education and preventative measures to combat HIV's persistent grip on the next generation.

Impact of STIs and HIV on Specific Populations

In the US, about 80% of new HIV diagnoses are among men who have sex with men (MSM)
In the United States, Black Americans account for about 13% of the population but make up approximately 42% of new HIV diagnoses

Impact of STIs and HIV on Specific Populations Interpretation

While MSM continue to bear the brunt of new HIV diagnoses at shift-inducing rates, the stark disparity among Black Americans—constituting only 13% of the population yet 42% of new cases—illuminates a critical public health crisis demanding urgent, targeted action beyond awareness.

Prevention and Contraceptive Use

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by about 99%
Only about 30% of young women aged 15-24 reported using a condom during last sexual intercourse
Condom use at last sex was reported by 60% of sexually active women aged 15-24 in the US
Only about 8% of women aged 15-44 in the US have ever received the HPV vaccine
Approximately 60% of teen pregnancies in the US are unintended pregnancies
Less than 50% of men aged 25-54 report using condoms consistently
Young couples in many developing countries have limited access to contraceptives, contributing to higher rates of unintended pregnancy
The use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs increased by 20% globally from 2010 to 2020
In the US, over 60% of women who experience unintended pregnancies report consistent contraceptive use, indicating barriers to effective prevention

Prevention and Contraceptive Use Interpretation

Despite medical advances and increased contraceptive use, the persistent gaps in awareness, access, and consistent application underscore that preventing sexual health risks remains as much about education and equity as it is about available technology.

sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevalence

In the United States, about 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur each year
Gonorrhea rates have increased by approximately 67% in the US between 2015 and 2020
Around 36.7% of women aged 15-44 in the US have experienced at least one instance of bacterial vaginosis
Nearly 50% of new STI cases in 2020 were among individuals aged 15-24
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for nearly 100% of cervical cancers
There are over 150 types of HPV, some of which can cause genital warts or cancers
The global prevalence of syphilis among adults is approximately 6 million annually
About 1 in 5 sexually active teens in the US has contracted an STI
In the US, teens aged 15-19 have the highest rates of chlamydia infections, with approximately 4,600 cases per 100,000 females in 2019
In Europe, syphilis rates increased by 70% from 2010 to 2019
In the US, about 35% of women aged 15-44 have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection at some point in their life
The rate of syphilis in the US increased by 15% in 2021 compared to the previous year
Only about 15% of sexually active teens in the US have been tested for STIs in the past year
The prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in the world is estimated at 13%, primarily transmitted through sexual contact

sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevalence Interpretation

With nearly 19 million new STIs annually and youth bearing the brunt, the U.S. population finds itself battling both startling trends and silent hazards—highlighting that in the realm of sexual health, knowledge isn't just power, it's prevention.