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Single Women Triple IVF Starts
17 Jun
Summary
- Single women starting families without partners have more than tripled.
- Solo women now represent 7% of UK IVF patients, up from 3% in 2014.
- NHS-funded IVF cycles declined to 28% in 2024 from 35% in 2019.
Figures from the UK's fertility regulator reveal a significant increase in single women beginning families independently. Over the last decade, the proportion of IVF patients who are single women has more than tripled, rising from approximately 3% in 2014 to about 7% in 2024.
This shift contributes to an overall nearly threefold increase in IVF patients over 30 years. While opposite-sex couples remain the majority, same-sex couples and single patients have seen substantial growth. Experts suggest higher birth rates and lower costs for IVF with donor sperm may drive this trend.
Despite these increases, NHS-funded IVF cycles have seen a proportional decline. Egg freezing among younger women also surged significantly between 2022 and 2023, though the rate of increase has since stabilized.
Lower overall fertility rates in the UK and globally are also cited as potential factors behind the rise in IVF demand. The HFEA advocates for reviewing funding eligibility criteria, as single women and same-sex couples are less likely to receive NHS funding.
