IVF in the UK: statistic totals 1978–2005

Information about IVF treatment in the UK has been collected by the HFEA since it was established (1 August 1991). Before then, information was not comprehensively recorded. This means that some figures are rough calculations and are for illustrative purposes only.

Number of patients

  • 1978 to 1984 - no figures available
  • 1985 to 1991 - 54,285
  • 1992 to 2005 - 232,303
  • 1978 to 2005 - at least 286,588

Number of cycles

  • 1978 to 1984 - no figures available
  • 1985 to 1991 -  65,879
  • 1992 to 2005 -  461,128
  • 1978 to 2005 -  at least 527,007

Number of births

  • 1978 to 1984 - 607
  • 1985 to 1991 - 8,116
  • 1992 to 2005 - 80,557
  • 1978 to 2005 - at least 89,280

Number of babies

  • 1978 to 1984 - 741
  • 1985 to 1991 - 10,600
  • 1992 to 2005 - 108,242
  • 1978 to 2005 - at least 119,583 

Back to top

Page last updated: 17 March 2009

Is IVF for me?

In vitro fertilisation means 'fertilisation in glass'In vitro fertilisation (IVF) literally means ‘fertilisation in glass’ giving us the familiar term ‘test tube baby’.

Find out about how IVF works and if it could be right for you.

...more about IVF