IVI Institute

Italy

The Fertility Picture In Italy

Women want to become mothers—but infertility, uncertainty, cost, and limited support can make that goal harder to achieve.

The Desire for Motherhood Remains Strong

Explore the statsLower birth rates don’t necessarily reflect lower aspirations for motherhood.

74%

are mothers or want children

65%

consider motherhood an important life goal

The Timing Doesn’t Always Go to Plan

Explore the statsDelays in starting a family can contribute to the gap between the families women want and the families they ultimately have.

46%

had their first child later than desired

2.4

children wanted on average

1.7

children actually born

0.7

fewer children

Why Are Women Waiting?

Personal readiness and finding the right partner play an important role in when Italian women start their families.

43%

Personal Maturity

41%

Need to find the right partner

Infertility Adds Another Barrier

Explore the statsFor 1.7 million Italian women, infertility adds another barrier to building the family they want.

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Experience in Lifetime

16%

have experienced infertility at some point in their lives, impacting 1.7 million women

Currently Experiencing

4.5%

are experiencing infertility right now, impacting 460k women

Infertility Takes An Emotional Toll

Infertility is more than a medical challenge—it can carry a substantial personal and emotional burden.

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7 out of 10 or Higher

69%

of women who have experienced infertility rate its negative impact 7 out of 10 or higher

Treatment Can Help, But Barriers Remain

Explore the statsCost is the leading barrier to IVF, but emotional stress and uncertainty about success also stand in the way.

14%

of women who experienced infertility in the past underwent IVF

Why so low?

43%

Financial cost

37%

Emotional stress

31%

Lack of confidence in success

Closing the Gap

Helping more women overcome infertility could help close the gap between the families they envision and the families they are able to build.

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460k

women experience infertility

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