Infertility Statistics and Facts: Worldwide Data

Trying to conceive without success is a heartbreaking hurdle for many couples. In fact, infertility affects roughly 19 percent of women in the United States ⁽¹⁾. It is a shared struggle that is far more common than most people realize.

We gathered the most current infertility statistics and facts to help you understand the landscape of reproductive health. From global rates to biological factors, here is what the data says about fertility today.

Definition of Infertility

The CDC defines infertility as the inability to conceive after one year (12 months) of unprotected sex ⁽²⁾. However, time is a critical factor. If you are a woman aged 35 or older, doctors shorten this window to just six months before recommending an evaluation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infertility as a disease of the reproductive system. It encompasses both the inability to establish a pregnancy and the inability to carry a pregnancy to term, known as impaired fecundity ⁽³⁾.

Symptoms vary between partners. For women, red flags include irregular menstrual cycles, severe pelvic pain, or abnormal bleeding ⁽⁴⁾. Men may notice issues with sexual function, pain or swelling in the testicles, or hormonal signs like reduced facial or body hair ⁽⁵⁾.

40 Statistics and Facts About Infertility

Navigating a fertility journey can feel isolating, but the numbers show you are not alone. These 40 facts highlight the prevalence, causes, and trends of infertility around the globe.

Infertility Rates in the US and Worldwide

How common is this diagnosis? Here is a look at the landscape of fertility on a global scale.

1. US prevalence: In the United States, approximately 19 percent of married women aged 15 to 49 with no prior births are unable to get pregnant after a year of trying.
2. Global impact: The WHO reports that one in six people worldwide will experience infertility during their lifetime. This equates to roughly 17.5 percent of the adult population.
3. Canadian statistics: Infertility rates in Canada mirror the global average, affecting roughly one in six couples ⁽⁶⁾.
4. Numbers in the UK: The NHS reports that one in seven couples in the UK faces fertility struggles ⁽⁷⁾. Additionally, 20 percent of couples where the woman is under 40 will not conceive within the first year.
5. South Korea’s struggle: Fertility rates are a major concern in South Korea, where about 20 percent of couples seek medical treatment for infertility ⁽⁸⁾.
6. Australia’s data: Approximately 17 percent of Australian women aged 28 to 33 encounter fertility obstacles ⁽⁹⁾.
7. Brazil’s rates: In Brazil, studies estimate that between 15 and 20 percent of couples of reproductive age face infertility issues ⁽¹⁰⁾.
8. Higher rates in Africa: Infertility prevalence in widespread regions of Africa is significantly higher, ranging between 30 and 40 percent ⁽¹¹⁾. Untreated reproductive tract infections are a leading cause.

Infertility Causes and Risk Factors

Understanding the “why” is the first step toward treatment. These are the primary medical and lifestyle factors that impact conception.

1. Tubal factors: Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes prevent the egg and sperm from meeting. Common culprits include untreated STIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, or scar tissue from previous surgeries.
2. The age cliff: A woman’s fertility peaks in her 20s and begins to decline at age 30 ⁽¹²⁾. By age 45, natural pregnancy is highly unlikely. Men also face a biological clock, with sperm quality and quantity often declining after age 40.
3. The sperm factor: Male infertility is the sole cause or a contributing factor in about 50 percent of cases ⁽¹³⁾. Issues range from low sperm count to poor motility (movement) or abnormal morphology (shape).
4. Ovulation disorders: If an egg is not released, conception is impossible. Hormonal imbalances, such as those seen in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are a leading cause of female infertility ⁽¹⁴⁾.
5. Thyroid health: Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism can disrupt the menstrual cycle and interfere with ovulation ⁽¹⁵⁾. Proper thyroid management is often a key step in fertility treatment.
6. Testicular trauma: Infections, injury, or a history of cancer treatments can permanently damage the testicles, reducing or eliminating sperm production ⁽¹⁶⁾.
7. Ejaculation issues: Conditions like retrograde ejaculation (where semen enters the bladder instead of leaving the penis) prevent sperm from reaching the female reproductive tract.
8. Weight and diet: Both obesity and being underweight can disrupt hormone regulation. Eating disorders that result in rapid weight loss or low caloric intake can cause women to stop ovulating entirely ⁽¹⁷⁾.

Male Infertility Statistics

Reproductive struggles are often viewed as a “woman’s issue,” but the data proves otherwise. Here is how infertility affects men.

1. It takes two: In roughly 40 to 50 percent of all infertility cases, the male partner has a contributing problem ⁽¹⁸⁾. This affects approximately 10 percent of men in the United States.
2. Key risk factors: Lifestyle plays a huge role. Obesity, heavy alcohol use, drug use, and smoking are significant risk factors for male fertility issues.
3. Low sperm count: This is the most common male factor issue. It is often linked to varicoceles, which are enlarged veins in the scrotum that raise the temperature of the testicles ⁽¹⁹⁾.
4. Global numbers: An estimated 30 million men worldwide are infertile ⁽²⁰⁾. Rates appear highest in Eastern Europe and Africa.
5. Diagnosis is simple: A semen analysis is the gold standard for diagnosis. This non-invasive test identifies about 90 percent of male infertility cases ⁽²¹⁾.
6. Heat matters: Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs can temporarily lower sperm count due to heat exposure ⁽²²⁾. The good news is that this effect is often reversible once the heat source is removed.
7. Systemic health: Male infertility can sometimes be a marker for other health issues, including diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or hormonal deficiencies.
8. Genetic links: Conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome or microdeletions on the Y chromosome can prevent normal sperm production.

Female Infertility Statistics

Women often bear the emotional and physical burden of fertility treatments. Here are the specific stats related to female reproductive health.

1. The ovulation factor: Regular periods (every 21 to 35 days) usually signal normal ovulation. Irregular cycles may indicate issues like PCOS or functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, which are primary causes of infertility.
2. The breakdown: In one-third of infertile couples, the cause is exclusively female ⁽²³⁾. In another third, it is male, and the final third involves both partners or unexplained causes.
3. Rapid decline: A woman is half as fertile in her 30s as she was in her early 20s. After age 35, the quantity and quality of remaining eggs drop significantly, increasing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
4. Common diagnoses: According to WHO data, the leading identifiable causes of female infertility are ovulation disorders (25 percent), endometriosis (15 percent), and pelvic adhesions (12 percent).
5. Endometriosis impact: This painful condition affects 10 to 15 percent of reproductive-aged women. Sadly, 40 to 50 percent of those women will experience difficulty getting pregnant.
6. Smoking risks: Smoking accelerates the loss of eggs. It damages the cervix and fallopian tubes and increases the risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy ⁽²⁴⁾.
7. Seeking help: About 11.9 percent of women received fertility services between 2011 and 2015 ⁽²⁵⁾. This ranges from medical advice to ovulation medication and artificial insemination.
8. Success rates: There is hope. Among women who sought medical intervention for infertility, roughly 65 percent eventually gave birth.

Infertility Rates Over Time

Are we facing a fertility crisis? Let’s look at how the numbers have shifted over the decades.

1. Steady rates: Despite headlines, overall infertility rates in the US have remained relatively stable from 1995 to 2019 ⁽²⁶⁾.
2. Disproportionate impact: Infertility is higher among non-Hispanic Black women and those with lower income or education levels. Access to care remains a significant barrier for these groups.
3. Historical dips: While rates are steady now, there was a noted decline in infertility during the 1980s and 1990s, though researchers are still debating the exact causes.
4. IVF market growth: The demand for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is skyrocketing. The market is predicted to reach 33 billion dollars by 2030, driven by delayed parenthood and improved success rates ⁽²⁷⁾.
5. Perception vs. reality: In the 1980s, self-reported infertility cases rose, not because of biology, but because more women over 35 were attempting to conceive and encountering age-related difficulties.
6. Sterilization shifts: In 1979, only 1.27 percent of women relied on sterilization ⁽²⁸⁾. Today, it is a common contraceptive choice for older women, with nearly 40 percent of women aged 40 to 49 relying on it ⁽²⁹⁾.
7. The sperm decline: Research suggests that over the last 40 years, sperm counts have dropped significantly in Western countries ⁽³⁰⁾. Environmental factors, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (phthalates and plastics), are the primary suspects.
8. Fluctuations: While generally stable, infertility rates do wobble. For example, the US saw a low of 5.8 percent between 2006 and 2010, followed by a rise to 8.1 percent between 2017 and 2019.

FAQs

How Many Couples Struggle With Infertility?

About one in eight couples in the United States struggle with infertility ⁽³¹⁾. This translates to approximately 6.7 million people every year seeking answers and support.

Is Infertility on the Rise?

While US rates have remained relatively flat, global metrics suggest a rise, with one in six people now affected ⁽³²⁾. The demand for fertility treatments like IVF is increasing as more couples delay starting families until later in life.

What Is Secondary Infertility?

Secondary infertility occurs when a woman is unable to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term after previously giving birth to a baby. It is surprisingly common, accounting for about half of all infertility cases.

Does Stress Cause Infertility?

While stress alone is rarely the sole cause of infertility, it can interfere with hormones needed for ovulation and sperm production. High stress levels may delay conception, but they usually do not prevent it permanently without other underlying medical factors.