Infertility may affect 79.6 million women by 2036, posing challenge for Hong Kong

Researchers urge Hong Kong to prioritise fertility education, early reproductive planning and timely access to care

Global infertility cases among women aged 35 to 49 are projected to rise by almost half to 79.64 million by 2036, posing a major public health challenge for Hong Kong as delayed childbearing becomes increasingly common, a large-scale study has found.

The study, co-led by the University of Hong Kong, said on Tuesday that the city’s average maternal age was among the world’s highest and called for stronger fertility education and earlier reproductive planning rather than a primary focus on treatment.

“Infertility at advanced maternal age is not just a clinical issue,” said Queenie Li Lingjun, an associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at HKU’s school of clinical medicine.

“It is closely linked to family well-being, reproductive autonomy, workforce planning and long-term social development,” Li said. “The challenges posed by infertility are attracting increasing attention in Hong Kong as a result of delayed childbearing and changing family structures.”

Published in the international medical journal The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women’s Health in July, the study was co-led by Li and Dr Zhou Niya of the Chongqing Centre for Women and Children’s Health.

Researchers analysed data from a global health database covering 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2023. They examined long-term trends and used forecasting models to estimate future infertility prevalence among women aged 35 to 49.

If current trends continue, the number of infertility cases globally in this age group could increase by almost half to about 79.64 million by 2036, the study projected.