One in six people globally are affected by infertility, says WHO report

An estimated one in six people globally are affected by infertility, according to a new report from the World Health Organization published on Tuesday.

The global health body noted that around 17.5 per cent of the adult population experience infertility, showing the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need.

The new estimates show limited variation in the prevalence of infertility between regions. The rates are comparable for high-, middle- and low-income countries, indicating that this is a major health challenge globally.

Lifetime prevalence was 17.8 per cent in high-income countries and 16.5 per cent in low- and middle-income countries. WHO said.

"The report reveals an important truth: infertility does not discriminate," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO.

"The sheer proportion of people affected show the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research