Global Fertility Study Reveals Growing Gap Between Parenthood Goals and Reality

The inaugural report, conducted by GfK, indicates that 82% of women either have children or intend to, with 73% identifying motherhood as a key life priority. Despite this strong interest, systemic barriers—including delayed family planning, fertility challenges, and a lack of accessible, trusted information—frequently disrupt these goals. Data shows that 36% of women who set a target age for starting a family ultimately began later than intended, resulting in smaller families than they originally envisioned.

Infertility remains a significant hurdle, affecting approximately 19% of women surveyed at some point in their lives. The emotional burden is substantial, with two-thirds of those who have experienced fertility issues rating the negative impact on their lives as severe. Even when medical consultation occurs, only 18% of these women proceed to IVF, often deterred by high levels of stress, financial concerns, and a perceived lack of success. To address these systemic pressures, the IVI Institute is consolidating its global network of over 200 clinics to standardize clinical excellence and provide more transparent, evidence-based support for patients navigating the complexities of reproductive medicine.