Granuloma inguinale is a sexually transmitted disease. The disease is commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas such as Southeast India, Guyana, and New Guinea, but it occurs on occasion in the United States, typically in the Southeast. There are approximately 100 cases reported per year in the United States.

Men are affected more than twice as often as women, with most infections occurring in people aged 20-40 years. The disease is seldom seen in children or the elderly.

It is thought that anal intercourse, rather than vaginal intercourse, is the most frequent source of infection. About 50% of infected men and women have lesions in the anal area.