The level of reported sexually transmitted infections in Ireland increased by 31% last year, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

The largest increases were in gonorrhoea, which rose 68%, and chlamydia, which rose 25%.

Overall, the STI notification rate in 2023 increased to 452 per 100,000 population from 346 the year before.

The most common STIs reported in 2023 were chlamydia, with 13,711 notifications, and gonorrhoea with 6,824.

The groups most affected by STIs were young people aged from 15 to 24 years, and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

According to the HSPC, 45% of all STIs notified in 2023 were in people aged less than 25 years of age.

In 15 to 19-year-old females, the STI notification rate increased by 61%, the chlamydia notification rate increased by 53% and the gonorrhoea notification rate increased by 175%.