The UK reaches new milestones for fertility treatments

More than 300,000 children in total have been born in the UK from licensed fertility treatment since 1991. This significant milestone, which includes combined figures for IVF and donor insemination (DI), follows a year-on-year growth in the number of babies born. Fertility treatment has grown markedly since 2010, with almost a third of all IVF and DI babies since 1991 arriving in the last six recorded years (2010 to 2015).

The total number of treatment cycles carried out in UK clinics also passed a significant milestone in 2015 (the most recent data available), breaking through the million barrier. The overall number of treatments carried out since 1991 is 1,034,601.

The new data – drawn from oldest and largest fertility register in the world - also reveals that fertility services are used mainly by younger women. The average age of women having fertility treatment is 35 years, which has remained largely static over recent years.

Treatments involving women aged 18-34 remain the largest single group, accounting for 43% of all treatments, while treatments for women aged 40 and over account for just 20% of all treatments (14,500), with very few treatments being provided to women over 45.

Looking at the different regions in the UK, the data shows that most treatments continue to take place in London and the South East of England, accounting for 42% of all cycles. However, there is a strong representation of large northern clinics in the figures, with the North West now providing more treatments per clinic than any other region, including London. Total clinic numbers vary according to region, ranging from three in Northern Ireland to 22 in London.  

HFEA Chair Sally Cheshire CBE welcomed this new data as a sign of a thriving and successful fertility sector:

“The figures we have released today show that the UK’s fertility sector continues to be one of the most vibrant and successful in the world.

“Families using assisted reproduction services across the UK are better served than ever before, and we will continue to encourage all who work in the sector to offer the highest quality support for those patients who are both successful and unsuccessful.”

Susan Seenan, chief executive of patient charity Fertility Network UK said:

“We welcome the publication during National Fertility Awareness Week of the new IVF milestones from the HFEA. The extraordinary growth of IVF in the last six years shows the pressing need for practical and emotional support and advice for the many people facing fertility issues.

It is also significant to note that this data underlines that fertility services are used mainly by younger women – aged under 35 - who will have been trying for a baby for at least two years and often more. National Fertility Awareness Week is about challenging perceptions and we hope this helps to dispel any misconceptions about IVF and female age.”

ENDS

Note to editors

Table 1 - Cumulative total babies born

Year	IVF babies born	DI babies born	Total babies born
2010	186,372	20,284	206,656
2011	204,002	20,842	224,844
2012	221,952	21,449	243,401
2013	240,944	22,086	263,030
2014	260,973	22,773	283,746
2015	281,438	23,475	304,913

Table 2 - Average age of patient (years)

2010	35.11
2011	34.97
2012	34.94
2013	34.94
2014	34.94
2015	35.02

Table 3 - Number of treatments by age band

Patient age	2014	2015	Age as % of treatments (2015)
18-34	27,583	28,101	43.0%
35-37	14,022	14.720	22.5%
38-39	9,297	9,139	14.0%
40-42	8,590	8,941	13.7%
43-44	2,569	2,772	4.2%
45-50	1,366	1,535	2.4%
50-55	71	85	0.1%
Total	63,498	65,293	100.0%

 

 

 

Table 4 – Regional breakdown of treatment in 2015

Region	Clinics	Treatments	Patients
East Midlands	4	3,432	2,881
East of England	6	4,130	3,191
London	22	20,357	15,658
North East	5	2,466	1,815
North West	6	8,140	6,062
Northern Ireland	3	1,817	1,522
Scotland	7	4,692	3,539
South East	10	7,491	5,552
South West	6	2,974	2,238
Wales	4	2,230	1,601
West Midlands	7	3,850	3,145
Yorkshire and Humber	4	3,789	2,927
UK	84	65,368	50,131