On the 27th, there is a notice for couples preparing for pregnancy at a health center in Seoul. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announces a ‘customized support plan for infertility and multiple births’ on this day, stating that if a couple is expecting multiple children, they will provide 1 million won in medical expenses for each fetus, and regardless of income level, they will partially cover the infertility procedure expenses and the expense of frozen egg assisted reproductive technology for infertile couples. Jul. 27, 2023 /Courtesy of News1 An Eunnah reporter

The number of infertility treatments conducted in South Korea in 2022 exceeded 200,000 cases. The number of people who underwent infertility treatments was 78,543, which means that on average, each person underwent about 3 treatments.

The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service published a book titled 'Infertility Treatment Statistics' on the 26th and released statistics on domestic infertility treatments and pregnancy rates.

The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service releases statistical data on infertility treatment information every year. Until now, infertility treatment statistics had been calculated based on benefit statements, but this data was collected based on records gathered from designated medical institutions for infertility treatment. This is the first time detailed statistics on infertility causes, treatment processes, and pregnancy rates have been included.

According to the statistics on infertility treatment, there were 201 institutions that conducted infertility treatments in 2022. The number of treatment cases was 200,707, surpassing 20,000 for the first time since the collection of statistics. This represents a 36.7% increase compared to 53,653 cases in 2019. In terms of treatment types, there were 166,870 cases of in vitro fertilization, accounting for 83.4%, and 33,137 cases of artificial insemination, accounting for 16.6%. The number of in vitro fertilization cases increased from 110,390 in 2019 to 166,870 in 2022, while the number of artificial insemination cases decreased from 30,964 to 33,137 during the same period.

The number of subjects who received infertility treatments was 78,543. Their average age was 37.9 years.

An analysis of treatment types by age revealed that the average age of those who underwent in vitro fertilization was higher than that of those who received artificial insemination. The percentage of those aged 35-39 who underwent in vitro fertilization was the highest at 34.2%, while the percentage of those aged 30-34 who received artificial insemination was the highest at 43.0%.

The pregnancy rate was higher for in vitro fertilization than for artificial insemination. The average pregnancy rate for in vitro fertilization was 36.9%, while the average pregnancy rate for artificial insemination was 13%. As the age of the treatment subjects increased, the pregnancy rate decreased, sharply declining after age 40. The pregnancy rate refers to the proportion of those who confirmed a gestational sac during an ultrasound examination after undergoing infertility treatment.

Experts noted, "Considering the increasing age of first marriage, the number of people undergoing infertility treatments is expected to rise in the future," and advised, "Couples planning for pregnancy should visit a medical institution for fertility tests before the age of 35 and, if necessary, undergo infertility treatments in a timely manner."

Seo Hee-sook, director of the medical resources department at the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, said, "Starting this year, we will regularly provide the public with easily understandable information about infertility," and added, "We will also develop various statistical data necessary for establishing and researching infertility support policies."