(London, United Kingdom) More than 1.15 million assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles were reported across Europe in 2023, according to preliminary data presented by the European IVF Monitoring (EIM) Consortium at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).[1]
The latest data, collected from 1,473 fertility centres across 36 European countries*, show that 1,156,316 ART treatment cycles were reported in 2023, resulting in the birth of 247,021 children.
Since 1997, the European IVF Monitoring (EIM) Consortium has documented more than 15.8 million ART treatment cycles and over 3.27 million ART infants across Europe, creating one of the longest-running datasets on assisted reproduction in Europe. Together, these data provide a unique overview of how clinical practice and treatment outcomes have evolved over time.
One of the clearest trends in 2023 was the continued growth in frozen embryo transfer (FET). A total of 401,483 FET cycles were reported, compared with 158,649 in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles and 388,345 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Among IVF-, ICSI- and FET-based treatments, FET accounted for almost 43% of treatment cycles in 2023, highlighting the importance of embryo cryopreservation in routine clinical practice.
Pregnancy and delivery rates remained broadly stable. Delivery rates per embryo transfer were 24.4% for IVF, 23.5% for ICSI and 27.6% for FET, while delivery rates per aspiration or thawing were 18.9%, 17.2% and 24.7%, respectively. Changes in practice are best reflected in crude cumulative live birth rates that increase every year.
Over the same period, clinics continued to reduce the number of embryos transferred during treatment. This was accompanied by the lowest recorded rates of twin and triplet deliveries since European monitoring began, reflecting efforts to reduce multiple pregnancies while maintaining favourable treatment outcomes.
Professor Diane De Neubourg, Chair of the EIM Consortium, said: "The EIM Consortium provides an unparalleled overview of assisted reproduction across Europe. The latest data demonstrate not only the continued high utilisation of ART, but also the ongoing evolution of clinical practice. The increase of frozen embryo transfer and continued reduction in multiple embryo transfers reflect a sustained commitment to improving both effectiveness and safety for patients."
Reported complication rates remained low in 2023. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurred in 1,760 treatment cycles (0.18%), while bleeding was reported in 965 cycles (0.10%) and infection in 218 cycles (0.02%). Four maternal deaths were reported. The Consortium notes, however, that these complications are likely to be under-reported.
The preliminary data also include more than 32,000 fertility preservation procedures reported in 2023, although reporting for this area remains incomplete. Among countries with complete reporting, an average of 2,547 ART treatment cycles per million inhabitants were reported, substantially exceeding the estimated global need of at least 1,500 cycles per million population each year.
Looking ahead, ESHRE is advancing the European Monitoring of Medically Assisted Reproduction (EuMAR), a pan-European registry developed to collect prospective, cycle-by-cycle data on medically assisted reproduction treatments and outcomes across Europe. Following a successful pilot study, EuMAR is now transitioning towards a permanent data collection programme at ESHRE.[2]
Professor Dr Anis Feki, Chair of ESHRE, concluded: "Reliable, collaborative data collection remains essential for advancing reproductive medicine. The EIM registry enables clinics, researchers and policymakers to monitor long-term trends in treatment and outcomes, supporting evidence-based improvements in patient care across Europe. As we look ahead, the development of the EuMAR registry will provide even more detailed, prospective information to guide the future of medically assisted reproduction."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
*As several countries had not yet submitted complete national data at the time of analysis, these figures remain provisional. The data presented include submissions received up to 20 June 2026.
A reference to the ESHRE Annual Meeting must be included in all coverage and/or articles associated with this study.
For more information or to arrange an expert interview, please contact the ESHRE Press Office at: press@eshre.eu
Data collection and reporting:
The ESHRE European IVF Monitoring (EIM) report represents one of the world's largest collections of data on medically assisted reproduction. Since 1997, ART data have been collected from national registries, clinics and professional societies across Europe. The 2023 dataset presented at this year's meeting includes data from 36 European countries submitted up to 20 June 2026. As reporting systems and data completeness vary between countries, the authors note that findings should be interpreted with appropriate caution.
About the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology:
The main aim of ESHRE is to promote interest in infertility care and to aim for a holistic understanding of reproductive biology and medicine.
ESHRE collaborates world-wide and advocates universal improvements in scientific research, encourages and evaluates new developments in the field, and fosters harmonisation in clinical practice. It also provides guidance to enhance effectiveness, safety and quality assurance in clinical and laboratory procedures, psychosocial care, and promotes ethical practice. ESHRE also fosters prevention of infertility and related educational programmes and promotes reproductive rights regardless of the individual’s background. ESHRE’s activities include teaching, training, professional accreditations, mentoring and career planning for junior professionals, as well as developing and maintaining data registries. It also facilitates and disseminates research in human reproduction and embryology to the general public, scientists, clinicians, allied personnel, and patient associations.
Website: https://www.eshre.eu/
References:
[1] Presentation: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Europe 2023 and development of a strategy of vigilance: preliminary results generated from European registers by the ESHRE EIM consortium. Presented at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), London, United Kingdom, 7 July 2026.
[2] European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. EuMAR – European Monitoring of Medically Assisted Reproduction. Available at: https://www.eshre.eu/Data-collection-and-research/EuMAR