One child in every school class is an IVF baby, data shows
One child in every British school class is born as a result of IVF treatment, figures have suggested.
Nearly 21,000 babies were born after IVF fertility treatment in 2023, fresh data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) showed. Just 8,700 people underwent IVF treatment in the year 2000, it added.
'IVF births are making up a higher proportion of all UK births over time, increasing from 1.3 per cent in 2000 to 3.1 per cent in 2023,' the authority said.
'This means around one in 32 UK births in 2023 were via IVF — roughly one child in every classroom — compared to one in 43 in 2013.'
The authority said that these latest numbers showed a 'changing landscape' of fertility care clinics.
Some 11 per cent of births for women aged 40-44 were after IVF treatment, increasing from 4 per cent in the year 2000.
More women are also freezing their eggs, rising from 4,700 in 2022 to 6,900 in 2023. The HFEA added that the number of women using their frozen eggs for treatment remained 'low'.
It also said that about 820 babies were also born after donor insemination treatment in 2023. The figures also showed a slump in the proportion of treatments funded by the NHS.
Just 27 per cent of IVF cycles were funded by the NHS in 2023, compared with 35 per cent in 2019. In Scotland, 54 per cent were funded by the health service, compared with 49 per cent in Northern Ireland, 33 per cent in Wales and 24 per cent in England.
The HFEA said that in recent years, Asian and black patients have had lower birth rates compared with white patients and those from a mixed ethnic background.
Julia Chain, chairwoman of the HFEA, said: 'IVF is helping more people have babies including patients of different ages and family types.
• Centuries-old preference for baby boys may be coming to an end
'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 survey found that Asian and black patients are less likely to report being satisfied with their fertility treatment.'
The fertility rate in 2023 was the lowest on record, with each woman having an average of 1.44 children, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Commenting on the HFEA data, a spokesman from Fertility Network UK, said: 'This important report reflects how essential fertility treatment has become for growing families in the UK and underlines not just the scientific advances in fertility care, but also the profound social impact of helping people realise their dreams of parenthood.
'Delays in accessing treatment — whether due to long GP referral times or inconsistent NHS funding — can have a devastating emotional and biological impact. We call for fair and timely access to fertility services for all, wherever they live and whatever their background.'
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