Gonorrhea continues its upward trend in Chile. In 2025, the national rate reached 13.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, after increasing 2.5 times since 2021.
Men accounted for 79% of cases, although the increase among women was more rapid: their rate almost quadrupled between 2021 and 2025. Cases also increased among pregnant women, rising from 9 in 2021 to 39 in 2025. The highest rates were recorded in Tarapacá, Arica and Parinacota, Coquimbo, and Antofagasta, but the increase also extended to regions in the south and center of the country.
The most affected age group was 20 to 29 years old, followed by adolescents aged 15 to 19. An increase was also observed in people over 60 and in children under 15, requiring special monitoring. Most diagnoses were genitourinary infections, although rectal and anal infections increased. Sexual transmission accounted for 93% of cases.
The report recommends strengthening sex education, condom use, early diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, and antimicrobial resistance control.
