MADRID – October 13, 2026 -- An estimated 6.8 million women across nine countries are experiencing infertility right now, according to the inaugural IVI Institute Fertility Barometer, which also finds that 36% of women with a target age for starting a family had their first child later than desired. IVI Institute, formerly IVI RMA Global, released the study alongside a group-wide rebrand that unites its clinic networks.
Survey of 24,074 women quantifies the gap between desired and actual family size
GfK, a NielsenIQ company, conducted the online survey of women aged 19 to 49 in Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, the UAE, the U.K. and the U.S. Fieldwork ran from May 16 to July 3, 2026. The margin of error is ±0.63 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with larger margins among subgroups.
About 82% of respondents are already mothers or want children, and 73% say motherhood is an important life goal. Women who had their first child later than desired end up with close to one fewer child than they intended. Respondents most often cite finding the right partner and personal maturity as the factors that made the timing right.
Infertility affects 19% of women, with 66% reporting a heavy negative impact
Some 19% of women surveyed have experienced infertility at some point, and 5% are experiencing it today. That equals 25.2 million women across the nine countries who have been affected, including 6.8 million currently. Among those with experience of infertility, 66% rate its negative impact on their lives at 7 out of 10 or higher.
Only 18% of women who consulted a doctor on infertility underwent IVF
Of women who experienced infertility in the past, 76% consulted a doctor. Only 18% of them underwent IVF. In total, 95% cite factors such as lack of confidence in success and emotional stress as substantial deterrents, alongside financial concerns. IVI Institute concludes that treatment decisions hinge on trust and information as much as cost.
Javier Sánchez-Prieto, IVI Institute Global CEO, said patients are seeking "confidence in science, confidence in their care team" and confidence they are receiving the best care possible.
Everleap Fertility consolidates U.S. clinics under one brand with 65+ locations in 19 states
In the U.S., leading clinic brands will unite as Everleap Fertility, which operates 65+ clinics in 19 states. Lynn Mason, CEO of Everleap Fertility, said the company aims to bring fertility care to people earlier and advocate for access. U.S. trends in the Barometer largely mirror the global findings.
IVI Fertility will continue to serve patients in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Latin America and the UK. Genera in Italy and ART Fertility in the UAE will operate as network members. TRIO in Canada, Create Fertility in the UK and LIVIO in the Nordics keep their current names.
Network spans 200+ clinics in 15 countries and 700+ research projects
IVI Institute will also encompass the IVI Institute Foundation, IVI Institute Research Alliance and IVI Institute Education. The organization cites 700+ active research projects, more than $12 million invested in scientific advancement, and 1,814 healthcare professionals trained in 2025. Executive Chairman Antonio Pellicer described the rebrand as an evolution of almost 40 years of work rather than a departure.
The Fertility Barometer is designed as an ongoing product to track how people worldwide experience fertility.