A new international study has projected that infertility among women will rise sharply over the next decade, with nearly 80 million women expected to experience infertility by 2036, largely due to delayed motherhood and changing demographic trends.
The research, published in The Lancet, estimates that infertility among women aged 35 to 49 will increase to almost 80 million cases by 2036, compared with approximately 53.6 million recorded in 2023. Researchers said the most significant increase is expected among women between the ages of 35 and 39.
The findings are based on data from the Global Burden of Disease 2023 study, which examined health trends across 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2023.
According to the researchers, advancing maternal age remains the leading factor behind the projected increase. Female fertility naturally declines with age as both the number and quality of eggs decrease, reducing the chances of conception while increasing the risk of miscarriage. Older maternal age also lowers the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The study notes that global population aging and changing social patterns are exposing more women to age-related fertility challenges, making infertility an increasingly important public health issue.
Researchers found that infertility rates have risen most rapidly in higher-income and more developed countries. At the same time, many middle-income and rapidly developing nations are experiencing similar trends as social and economic conditions continue to evolve.
Several factors are contributing to the rise. People are marrying later, postponing starting families, and an increasing number of women in their late 30s and early 40s are choosing to have children. Greater public awareness of fertility issues has also encouraged more couples to seek medical advice and treatment.
However, access to fertility care has not kept pace with growing demand in many countries. Fertility assessments and assisted reproductive treatments remain expensive or difficult to access, leaving many couples without adequate support.
Experts say expanding fertility services alone will not solve the problem.
Rocío Núñez Calonge, a biologist and fertility specialist who was not involved in the study, said broader social policies are needed to address the reasons many women delay motherhood.
She pointed to challenges such as balancing careers with family life, financial uncertainty and limited institutional support for parents as important factors influencing reproductive decisions. Improving these conditions, she said, could help people start families earlier if they choose to do so.
The researchers also stressed that infertility should not be viewed solely as a women’s health issue. Global estimates suggest that around one in six people will experience infertility at some point in their lives, while between 8 and 12 percent of couples of reproductive age worldwide face difficulties conceiving.
The authors said the findings highlight the need for governments and healthcare systems to prepare for increasing demand for reproductive health services while addressing the broader social and economic issues influencing family planning decisions.
