Global Infertility Cases Set to Surge 50% to 79.6 Million by 2036, HKU Study Warns
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A landmark international study has revealed that global infertility cases among women aged 35 to 49 are projected to surge by almost 50 percent to 79.64 million by 2036, posing a substantial public health challenge for Hong Kong where delayed childbearing has become increasingly common. The research, co-led by the University of Hong Kong and published in the Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women's Health, analysed data spanning 204 countries and territories over 33 years and found that the burden of infertility is shifting towards more developed economies, with East Asia bearing the highest load.
Key Points
- Global infertility cases among women aged 35-49 are projected to rise from 53.6 million in 2023 to 79.64 million by 2036, a 48.6 percent increase
- The study was co-led by HKU's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Chongqing Centre for Women and Children's Health using Global Burden of Disease 2023 data
- East Asia recorded the highest age-standardised prevalence rate of 12,030 cases per 100,000 women in 2023, well above the global average
- Hong Kong's average maternal age ranks among the world's highest, reflecting widespread delayed marriage and childbearing
- The gap in infertility burden between high and low socio-demographic index regions narrowed by 23.1 percent over the 33-year study period
Why It Matters
The findings signal an urgent need for Hong Kong to move beyond reactive infertility treatments toward proactive, lifecycle-based reproductive health strategies that prioritise fertility education, early assessment, and preventive care as delayed childbearing continues to reshape the city's demographic landscape .
The findings signal an urgent need for Hong Kong to move beyond reactive infertility treatments toward proactive, lifecycle-based reproductive health strategies that prioritise fertility education, early assessment, and preventive care as delayed childbearing continues to reshape the city's demographic landscape .