WHO – Global infertility prevalence estimates

Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Understanding the magnitude of infertility is critical for developing appropriate interventions, for monitoring access to quality fertility care, and for mitigating risk factors for and consequences of infertility.

Read more about infertility and childlessness

This report, the first of its kind in a decade, reveals an important truth: infertility does not discriminate. For millions around the world, the path to parenthood can be difficult to access, if not impossible. Globally, an estimated 1 out of every 6 people are affected by the inability to have a child at some point in their life. This is regardless of where they live and what resources they have.

Infertility affects millions. Even still, it remains understudied, and solutions underfunded, and inaccessible to many, as the result of high costs, social stigma and limited availability.

The causes of infertility are varied and often complex, and is something that both men and women experience. Indeed, a wide variety of people, in all regions, may require fertility care.

Source: Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990–2021. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Read the whole report here: WHO – Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990–2021