Global rise in infertility fuels expansion of assisted reproductive technology market
Executive summary: A study reported by Handelsblatt indicates that more women worldwide are experiencing involuntary infertility and seeking medical help. The trend signals expanding demand for fertility treatments and related healthcare services, with potential implications for demographics and public policy.
Who is involved: Women seeking fertility care, IVF clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and health policymakers.
Likely next: Market actors are expected to increase investment in assisted reproductive technology, while governments may review family support policies.
A recent study cited by Handelsblatt reports that more women worldwide are experiencing involuntary infertility and seeking medical help, suggesting a growing need for fertility services. The increase reflects shifting demographic and health trends that could boost demand for assisted reproductive technologies, pharmaceuticals, and related healthcare spending. While the study highlights a personal and societal challenge, it also points to emerging business opportunities in the reproductive health sector.
Timeline
- — Ungewollt kinderlos: Studie: Weltweit mehr Frauen von Unfruchtbarkeit betroffen (Handelsblatt)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Expansion of IVF clinic networks
- Increased sales of fertility medications
- Policy debates on parental leave and family support
Sectors affected
- Healthcare
- Pharmaceuticals
- Fertility services
- Demographics
Regulatory implications
- Potential subsidies or insurance coverage for ART
- Review of parental leave and family support policies
- Workplace fertility benefit considerations
Historical parallels
- Rising infertility rates observed in Europe during the late 1990s
- Post‑war declines in birth rates that spurred family‑policy reforms
Key entities
Sources
Open the full interactive case file on Beyond →