HFEA publishes Fertility Treatment 2023: trends and figures report

As fertility rates fall, a new HFEA report shows that fertility treatment is helping more people in the UK have babies. Almost 21,000 babies were born from IVF in 2023, which accounts for 1 in 32 UK births and around one child in every classroom.

The data shows that births from IVF have increased over the past decade, from 1 in 44 births in 2013 to 1 in 32 in 2023. The number of IVF patients also increased by 11% between 2013 and 2023, from 47,200 to 52,400.

Although IVF birth rates in the UK have risen, disparities in outcomes still exist. In recent years, Asian and Black patients have had lower birth rates (27% and 25% respectively) than White patients and patients from a mixed ethnic background (33% and 30% respectively). The HFEA has identified areas where inequalities can be addressed and has called for action to be taken to reduce the disparities in treatment outcomes for Black, Asian and ethnic minority patients.

Julia Chain, Chair of the HFEA, said:

“IVF is helping more people have babies including patients of different ages and family types. 1 in 32 of all UK births are from IVF and 11% of all UK births among women aged 40-44 are as a result of IVF. We are also seeing more single patients and female same-sex couples having IVF. These findings highlight the changing landscape of the UK fertility sector and how it could develop in the years to come.

“However, we are very concerned to see that Black and Asian patients continue to have lower IVF birth rates compared to other patient groups, and our recent National Patient Survey found that Asian and Black patients are less likely to report being satisfied with their fertility treatment.

“The survey also found that, of the 80% of fertility patients who spoke to a GP before starting treatment, most waited up to a year to start treatment but 16% waited more than two years. RCOG data shows that gynaecology waiting lists are long, and we urge anyone who has concerns about their fertility to speak to their GP. We also encourage all primary care providers to ensure speedy referrals to specialist fertility services, if needed, to ensure the chances of success are as high as possible.”

The report also found that the multiple birth rate (e.g. twins and triplets) from IVF have fallen to 3.4%, one of the lowest in the world, crucially helping to minimise risk to patients and their babies and cut costs to the NHS. This is a testament to the longstanding work that the HFEA and the fertility sector have done to reduce the number of multiple births from IVF.

Other findings from the report include:

• Average IVF pregnancy rate using fresh embryo transfers increased nationally to 31% per embryo transferred in 2023 from 22% per embryo transferred in 2013, with the highest pregnancy rates in patients aged 18-34 at 41%.
• In 2023, 2,900 patients had donor insemination (DI) treatment with around 820 babies born.
• Births from donor treatment made up around 1 in 5 of all IVF and DI births in 2023, accounting for around 1 in 153 of all UK births, which is more than previous years.
• Egg freezing cycles increased from 4,700 in 2022 to 6,900 in 2023, accounting for 7% of all cycles. Egg freezing increased most among patients in their 30s, but the number of patients using their stored frozen eggs in treatment remains low.
• In 2023, 27% of IVF cycles across the UK were NHS-funded, the same as in 2022, but falling from 35% in 2019. NHS funding for IVF continues to vary across the UK.

Ends

For more information or for interviews with a HFEA spokesperson, please contact press.office@hfea.gov.uk or call 020 7291 8226.

For out-of-hours requests, please call the duty press officer on 07771 981920.

Notes to editors

• This report uses preliminary treatment and pregnancy data for 2020-2023 and birth outcome data for 2019-2023.
• This report covers the period from 1991-2023 where data is available. Data for 1991 covers a partial year, starting in August 1991. For more detailed data, see the HFEA dashboard.
• Unless stated otherwise, the data in this report refers to treatment cycles i.e. only those cycles which were begun with the intention of immediate treatment, instead of storing eggs or embryos for future use.
• Birth rates by ethnicity from 1991-2023 can be found on the HFEA dashboard.
• In 2018, a study found that for a 10% reduction in the rate of multiple births at that time would lead to a saving of £15 million for the NHS.
• In the early 1990s, the average multiple birth rate from IVF was around 28% compared to an estimated 1-2% in natural conception. Following the launch of the One at a time campaign in 2007 and the introduction of a multiple birth rate target in 2009, a 10% target in the UK was reached in 2017.
• Click here to watch a video of our Chief Executive Peter Thompson summarising the report’s key findings.

About the HFEA

• The HFEA is the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos.
• Set up in 1990 by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, the HFEA is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and inspecting fertility clinics - and taking enforcement action where necessary - to ensure everyone accessing fertility treatment receives high quality care.
• The HFEA is an ‘arm’s length body’ of the Department of Health and Social Care, working independently from Government providing free, clear, and impartial information about fertility treatment, clinics and egg, sperm and embryo donation.
• The HFEA collects and verifies data on all treatments that take place in UK licensed clinics which can support scientific developments and research and service planning and delivery.
• Around 4,300 children in the UK are born each year through the help of a donor (2023). The HFEA holds records of all donors and children born since 1991.
• The HFEA is funded by licence fees, IVF treatment fees and a small grant from UK central government. For more information, visit hfea.gov.uk.