In the United States, public sentiment toward assisted reproductive technology (ART) is shifting despite a steady increase in the actual use of these medical procedures. While the number of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and egg freezing procedures continues to grow, data from the Kinsey Institute’s annual “Singles in America” study indicates a sharp decline in the percentage of single adults willing to consider these options. This trend marks a significant departure from the enthusiasm that followed the 1978 birth of Louise Brown, the first “test-tube baby.”
Rising utilization against falling interest
The paradox between medical practice and public opinion is stark. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of egg freezing procedures in the U.S. increased by more than sixfold, rising from approximately 6,000 to 39,000 annually. IVF now accounts for roughly one in every 36 births in the country, cementing the sector as a multi-billion-dollar industry. However, the Kinsey Institute report shows that the proportion of singles open to IVF fell from 44% in 2017 to 18% this year. Similarly, interest in egg freezing dropped from 33% to 17% over the same period.
Economic pressures and the evolving desire for parenthood
Sociological factors appear to be driving this decline, with a notably lower priority placed on parenthood among younger generations. In 2017, 80% of respondents under age 40 told the Kinsey Institute that finding a partner who wanted children was important. This year, that figure had fallen to approximately 38% among singles aged 18 to 49. Many cite financial stability and the rising cost of living as primary deterrents. With IVF cycles often costing upwards of $20,000 and egg freezing ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 per cycle, the financial and physical toll of these treatments is increasingly viewed as an unwanted burden rather than a pathway to freedom.
Medical uncertainty and the limits of technology
The efficacy of these procedures is also under closer scrutiny. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that only about 40% of embryo transfers result in a live birth for patients aged 35 to 37, with success rates declining significantly for older patients. These statistics, coupled with high-profile "fertility fraud" cases—such as an Indiana physician who used his own sperm to conceive over 90 children—have contributed to a growing skepticism toward the reproductive medicine industry.
Cultural shifts and the preference for natural approaches
A broader distrust of medical institutions has gained traction in the post-pandemic United States, extending to reproductive care. Movements such as “Make America Healthy Again,” which advocates for “natural” approaches to health, have targeted hormonal contraception and reproductive interventions. This cultural shift coincides with a resurgence of interest in traditional family structures among some members of Generation Z, who are increasingly prioritizing early marriage and conventional family formation over the extended periods of singlehood and career-building that often precede the use of ART.
Questions regarding the future of fertility access
Despite the cooling of public sentiment in the U.S., there is no indication that the demand for fertility services will collapse. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that only 8% of Americans oppose IVF, suggesting that while many individuals may decide these procedures are not for them, they do not necessarily view them as universally negative. The tension between the desire for children and the realities of human biology remains the central driver of the industry, leaving the future of reproductive medicine caught between the promise of technology and the limitations of time.
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