Large numbers of people are affected by infertility throughout their lives, according to a new report published today by the World Health Organization (WHO). Approximately 17.5% of the adult population – about 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility, highlighting the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need.
The new estimates show limited variation in the prevalence of infertility across regions. Rates are comparable for high, middle, and low-income countries, indicating that this is a significant global health challenge. The lifetime prevalence was 17.8% in high-income countries and 16.5% in low and middle-income countries.
“The report reveals an important truth – infertility does not discriminate,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “The sheer proportion of affected individuals shows the need to expand access to fertility care and ensure that this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policies, so that safe, effective, and affordable ways to achieve parenthood are available to those who seek it.”
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system, defined as the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It can cause significant distress, stigma, and financial difficulties, affecting the mental and psychosocial well-being of individuals.
Despite the magnitude of the problem, solutions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility – including assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) – remain underfunded and inaccessible for many due to high costs, social stigma, and limited availability.
Currently, in most countries, fertility treatments are largely out-of-pocket expenses – often resulting in devastating financial costs. People in poorer countries spend a larger proportion of their income on fertility care compared to those in wealthier countries. High costs frequently prevent individuals from accessing infertility treatments or, alternatively, can push them into poverty as a consequence of seeking care.
“Millions of people face catastrophic health costs after seeking treatment for infertility, making this a major equity issue and, all too often, a medical poverty trap for those affected,” said Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, including the United Nations Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP). “Better policies and public funding can significantly improve access to treatment and protect the poorest households from falling into poverty as a result.”
While the new report shows compelling evidence of the high global prevalence of infertility, it highlights a persistent lack of data in many countries and some regions. It calls for greater availability of national data on infertility disaggregated by age and cause to help quantify infertility, as well as to understand who needs fertility care and how risks can be reduced.
Source: PAHO