The global impact of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has reached an extraordinary milestone. The newly published article, “How Many Infants Have Been Born with the Help of Assisted Reproductive Technology?“, now available online, provides the most comprehensive estimate to date of ART-conceived births worldwide.
This groundbreaking study—representing 20 years of meticulous data collection, validation and analysis—confirms that between 9.8 million and 13 million infants were born through ART between 1978 and 2018. These numbers highlight the profound role ART has played in transforming family-building options for millions around the world. It is further estimated that as of 2024 approximately 15 million ART babies have been born globally.
A Defining Moment for Reproductive Medicine
The article, authored by David Adamson, MD, Founder and CEO of ARC Fertility, along with other leading experts in the field and published in Fertility and Sterility, is the result of decades of collaboration through the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART). The study synthesizes 40 years of global ART registry data, tracking ART growth, success rates and demographic trends.
Some key findings from the research:
- Global Impact: Through 2018, sophisticated analysis of all available data showed that ART has contributed to up to 13 million births worldwide in just four decades. Through 2024 it is estimated that 13 to 17 million babies have been born.
- Regional Trends:
- Europe accounts for the largest share of ART births (3.6–4.4 million).
- Asia’s contribution has surged, now making up one-third of all ART births.
- North America’s ART-conceived births account for 1.4–1.6 million.
- Rising ART Utilization: Today, one ART baby is born every 35 seconds and in some high-income countries, ART accounts for 5–10% of all births.
Despite these advances, the study also reveals significant gaps in access to ART care, particularly in lower middle-income countries but also in wealthy countries without financial support for ART services. Expanding access to fertility treatments remains critical to ensuring reproductive equity worldwide.
What This Means for Employers
For employers, this study underscores the growing reliance on ART for family building. As fertility rates decline globally, companies must recognize that reproductive healthcare—including IVF, egg freezing and fertility preservation—is no longer a luxury benefit but a workforce necessity.
Organizations that provide comprehensive fertility benefits not only support employees in achieving their family goals but also:
- Improve retention and recruitment in a competitive talent market.
- Enhance productivity by reducing stress and absenteeism related to fertility struggles.
- Lower long-term healthcare costs by supporting proactive, evidence-based fertility care.
How ARC Fertility Supports Employers and Employees
ARC Fertility has been at the forefront of providing cost-effective, high-quality fertility benefits to organizations nationwide. As ART continues to shape the future of reproductive medicine, ARC helps employers take action by offering:
- Comprehensive Fertility Benefits: Covering IVF, egg freezing and fertility preservation.
- Nationwide Access to Top Specialists: Ensuring employees receive care from leading fertility experts.
- Flexible, Affordable Coverage Models: ARC Fertility’s unique approach means no PEPM (per employee per month) fees, making fertility benefits sustainable and cost-effective.
- Concierge Support for Employees: Personalized guidance throughout the fertility journey, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
A Call to Action for the Future of Fertility Care
The new study highlights both the success of ART and the ongoing need for greater access to reproductive healthcare. As the number of ART births continues to climb, now estimated at 13–17 million as of 2024, employers must take an active role in supporting this essential aspect of healthcare.
Now is the time to act. Expanding fertility benefits is about more than family-building. It supports workforce well-being, promotes equity and strengthens economic sustainability.