Around one child in every classroom is now born from IVF, says fertility regulator
As fertility rates fall, a new HFEA report shows that fertility treatment is helping more people in the UK have babies. Almost 21,000 babies were born from IVF in 2023, which accounts for 1 in 32 UK births and around one child in every classroom.
The data shows that births from IVF have increased over the past decade, from 1 in 44 births in 2013 to 1 in 32 in 2023. The number of IVF patients also increased by 11% between 2013 and 2023, from 47,200 to 52,400.
Although IVF birth rates in the UK have risen, disparities in outcomes still exist. In recent years, Asian and Black patients have had lower birth rates (27% and 25% respectively) than White patients and patients from a mixed ethnic background (33% and 30% respectively). The HFEA has identified areas where inequalities can be addressed and has called for action to be taken to reduce the disparities in treatment outcomes for Black, Asian and ethnic minority patients.
Julia Chain, Chair of the HFEA, said:
“IVF is helping more people have babies including patients of different ages and family types. 1 in 32 of all UK births are from IVF and 11% of all UK births are to women aged 40-44 who had IVF. We are also seeing more single patients and female same-sex couples having IVF. These findings highlight the changing landscape of the UK fertility sector and how it could develop in the years to come.
“However, we are very concerned to see that Black and Asian patients continue to have lower IVF birth rates compared to other patient groups, and our recent National Patient Survey found that Asian and Black patients are less likely to report being satisfied with their fertility treatment.
The survey also found that, of the 80% of fertility patients who spoke to a GP before starting treatment, most waited up to a year to start treatment but 16% waited more than two years. RCOG data shows that gynaecology waiting lists are long, and we urge anyone who has concerns about their fertility to speak to their GP. We also encourage all primary care providers to ensure speedy referrals to specialist fertility services, if needed, to ensure the chances of success are as high as possible.”
The report also found that the multiple birth rate (e.g. twins and triplets) from IVF have fallen to 3.4%, one of the lowest in the world, crucially helping to minimise risk to patients and their babies and cut costs to the NHS. This is a testament to the longstanding work that the HFEA and the fertility sector have done to reduce the number of multiple births from IVF.
Other findings from the report include:
- Average IVF pregnancy rate using fresh embryo transfers increased nationally to 31% per embryo transferred in 2023 from 22% per embryo transferred in 2013, with the highest pregnancy rates in patients aged 18-34 at 41%.
- In 2023, 2,900 patients had donor insemination (DI) treatment with around 820 babies born.
- Births from donor treatment made up around 1 in 5 of all IVF and DI births in 2023, accounting for around 1 in 153 of all UK births, which is more than previous years.
- Egg freezing cycles increased from 4,700 in 2022 to 6,900 in 2023, accounting for 7% of all cycles. Egg freezing increased most among patients in their 30s, but the number of patients using their stored frozen eggs in treatment remains low.
- In 2023, 27% of IVF cycles across the UK were NHS-funded, the same as in 2022, but falling from 35% in 2019. NHS funding for IVF continues to vary across the UK.
To read the Fertility treatment 2023: Trends and figures report, click here.