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Key takeaways
Approximately 1 in 6 people have experienced infertility at some point in their lives.
Infertility affects men and women at similar rates.
The risk of infertility increases with age.
Common causes of infertility include hormone imbalances, ovulation disorders, and testicular dysfunction.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Infertility can be a difficult and emotional experience. The good news? It’s more common—and more treatable—than many people realize. Understanding infertility statistics, including how common infertility is and what causes it, can help you feel more informed and supported.
What is infertility?
Infertility is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as not being able to get pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected sex. It can affect anyone and may involve one or both partners.
Healthcare providers may use blood tests, imaging (like transvaginal ultrasound), or semen analysis to better understand what causes infertility in each case.
What is secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility is when a person who has previously given birth is unable to get pregnant after trying for a year.
The good news is that infertility treatments are continually improving. Many people struggling with primary or secondary infertility are eventually able to conceive successfully.
How common is infertility?
- Approximately 1 in 6 people have experienced infertility at some point in their lives.
- An estimated 17.5% of people worldwide have experienced infertility.
Source: WHO, 2023
Infertility statistics worldwide
- The estimated lifetime prevalence of infertility is highest (23.2%) in the Western Pacific Region. (WHO, 2023)
- The estimated lifetime prevalence of infertility is the lowest (10.7%) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. (WHO, 2023)
- Lifetime infertility prevalence is 17.8% in high-income countries. (WHO, 2023)
- Lifetime infertility prevalence is 16.5% in low- and middle-income countries. (WHO, 2023)
Infertility statistics in the United States
- About 13.4% of women of reproductive age (15–49 years of age) had impaired fertility between 2015 and 2019. (National Health Statistics Reports, 2024)
- About 85% of couples conceive in their first year of trying. (UCLA Health)
- Only 7% of couples conceive in their second year of trying. (UCLA Health)
Infertility statistics by sex
- An estimated 13.4% of women ages 15–49 in the United States had some form of impaired fertility between 2015 and 2019. (National Health Statistics Reports, 2024)
- An estimated 11.4% of men ages 15–49 in the United States had some form of infertility between 2015 and 2019. (National Health Statistics Reports, 2024)
- In about one-third of infertile couples, the cause of infertility is with the male, and in another one-third of infertile couples, with the female. In the last third of infertile couples, the cause either can’t be identified or could be with both the male and female. (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
- In a 2020 SingleCare survey of 600 couples experiencing infertility, 25% did not know the cause. Of the most commonly reported factors, 19% cited polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in the female as a cause of infertility, and 17% cited low sperm count in the male. (SingleCare, 2020)
Infertility statistics by age
“Typically, my infertility patients are as young as their early 20s and as old as their mid to late 40s,” says Sara Mucowski, MD, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at Dallas IVF.
- Couples with a male partner who is 40 years of age or older are more likely to have difficulty conceiving. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2024)
- Female fertility begins to decline at age 30. The rate of decline is faster after the age of 35. (ACOG, 2023)
- Only 1 in 10 women will get pregnant per menstrual cycle by 40 years of age. (ACOG, 2024)
Infertility statistics by race and ethnicity
- Among U.S. women reporting infertility, 13% identified as Black and 19.7% identified as Hispanic.
- Among U.S. women reporting infertility, the highest birth rates after infertility treatment were among Asian women (17%) and White women (13%).
Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2026
Infertility and mental health
Research shows that infertility can negatively impact psychological, financial, and relationship health. Many people who want to start a family and are unable to conceive find that infertility complications impact their overall quality of life.
- Emotional and financial stress for couples experiencing infertility peaks 4 to 6 years after the diagnosis, and after treatment failures have occurred. (American Psychological Association, 2019)
- Depression rates among infertile women are higher than in the general population. (Fertility Research and Practice, 2021)
- Men with male factor infertility have more symptoms of depression and anxiety and have lower self-esteem than the general population. (Asian Journal of Andrology, 2023)
- In a SingleCare survey, 51% of respondents reported depression as a result of infertility, and 46% reported anxiety. (SingleCare, 2020)
IVF statistics
- In 2021, 2.3% of all infants born in the United States were conceived through the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), 99% of which was IVF.
- In 2021, the states with the most births after ART were California, New York, and Texas.
- An estimated 1 in 8 women of reproductive age have sought treatment for infertility at least once in their lifetime.
Source: Department of Health and Human Services, 2024
The cost of infertility treatment
- A single cycle of IVF can cost $15,000–$30,000. (Department of Health and Human Services, 2024)
- The average number of cycles needed to become pregnant from IVF is 2.5. (Department of Health and Human Services, 2024)
- As of 2026, 15 states required insurance coverage for IVF. (RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, 2026)
- In a SingleCare survey, 24% of respondents reported paying for infertility treatments out-of-pocket. (SingleCare, 2020)
Causes of infertility
Various factors may cause infertility. In some cases, the cause is unknown. The causes also vary by sex.
What causes infertility in women?
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), female infertility is often due to menstrual cycle irregularities that may be caused by factors that disrupt ovulation, including:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
- Hormone imbalances, including thyroid and prolactin
- Aging
Female infertility can also be caused by:
- Uterine or cervical abnormalities
- Fallopian tube damage
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Early menopause
- Pelvic scar tissue
- Cancer treatment
- Autoimmune disorders
- Infections
- Implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage
- Genetic conditions
- Smoking, heavy drinking, or substance use
- Chronic or severe stress
“Ovulatory dysfunction is quite common, especially with the difficulties we face as a society with increasing weight. Carrying excess weight often affects ovulating function,” says Jessica Scotchie, OB/GYN, the co-founder of Tennessee Reproductive Medicine, who’s double board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI).
And then there’s age: “Women are also starting their families at older ages on average (many are waiting until age 30, whereas prior generations generally started families between age 20-25). Starting a family at an older age can cause egg quality and ovarian dysfunction factors to play a large part in infertility,” says Dr. Scotchie.
What causes infertility in men?
Male infertility is most often caused by testicles that aren’t working correctly. For instance, varicoceles are swollen testicular veins that can affect sperm count and shape.
The quality and quantity of sperm can also be affected by:
- Health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and excess weight
- Genetic conditions
- Undescended testicles
- Blockage of sperm from scar tissue or anatomical conditions
- Environmental exposure to toxic chemicals or pesticides
- Cancer treatments
- Smoking, heavy alcohol, and substance use
- Anabolic (body-building) steroids
Even if the quality and quantity of sperm are adequate for conception, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, or structural problems may impact the sperm’s ability to reach an egg for fertilization.
Treating infertility
Around 90% of infertility can be treated and managed thanks to medical advancements in the last 30 years. IVF, intrauterine insemination (IUI), artificial insemination (AI), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are all assisted reproductive technology (ART) options that have been successful at helping people become pregnant. In the last few years, there have been even more options, such as pre-implantation genetic screening, to increase the effectiveness of IVF treatment.
In addition to ART and surgical procedures, infertility is often improved with a combination of medications aimed at treating the underlying cause. Some medications used to treat infertility include:
- Crinone (progesterone gel)
- Cetrotide (cetrorelix)
- Clomid (clomiphene citrate)
- Metformin for PCOS
Metformin is the most popular of these fertility drugs, according to SingleCare prescription fill data, however it is also commonly used for diabetes treatment.
RELATED: Clomid statistics and success rate
The future of infertility
For people who want to have children and are facing infertility, there’s good news: Researchers are continuously looking for new ways to make infertility treatments better. As infertility treatments increase, it is feasible that they will become more accessible or more likely to be covered by insurance.
Infertility questions and answers
Are rates of infertility increasing?
Around the world, the rate of infertility has increased by 0.49% for males and 0.68% for females since 1990. For females, this increase was greatest in higher-income countries. For males, there was a greater rise in infertility in low- and middle-income countries.
How many people are infertile?
About 1 in 6 people experience infertility globally, according to the World Health Organization.
Can infertility be treated?
Many causes can be treated successfully. Outcomes depend on age, health, and the underlying cause.
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