1 In 6 People Globally Affected By Infertility: WHO

Geneva: Around 17.5 per cent of the adult population — roughly 1 in 6 worldwide — experience infertility in their lifetime, according to a new report published on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The report shows limited variation in the prevalence of infertility between regions. Lifetime prevalence of infertility was 17.8 per cent in high-income countries and 16.5 per cent in low and middle-income countries.

“The report reveals an important truth — infertility does not discriminate,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, said in a statement.

“The sheer proportion of people affected shows the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy, so that safe, effective, and affordable ways to attain parenthood are available for those who seek it,” he added.

Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system, defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

It can cause significant distress, stigma, and financial hardship, affecting people’s mental and psychosocial well-being.

Despite the magnitude of the issue, solutions for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility — including assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) — remain underfunded and inaccessible to many due to high costs, social stigma and limited availability.