GCC IVF Market, By Technique (ICSI IVF, Non-ICSI/Traditional IVF), By Reagent (Embryo Culture Media, Cryopreservation Media, Sperm Processing Media, Ovum Processing Media), By Instruments (Imaging Systems, Sperm Separation Systems, Ovum Aspiration Pumps, Incubators, Micromanipulator Systems, Cryo-systems, Others), By Infertility (Female v/s Male), By Embryo (Frozen-Thawed Embryo v/s Fresh Embryo), By Application (Fertility Clinics, Hospitals, Others), By End-User (Locals, Expats, Medical Tourists), By Country and Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2018-2028

Market Overview

The GCC IVF Market was valued at USD 993.05 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 6.75% through 2028. The In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is experiencing significant growth and transformation, reflecting evolving societal trends and advances in reproductive medicine. GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, have witnessed a notable rise in infertility rates, attributed to factors such as delayed childbearing, lifestyle changes, and increased awareness of fertility treatments. The GCC IVF market is characterized by an increasing demand for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), with a particular focus on IVF procedures. This surge can be attributed to changing family dynamics, where couples are often opting for smaller families and postponing parenthood.

Furthermore, the region's healthcare infrastructure has seen substantial improvements, with a growing number of specialized fertility clinics and centers offering cutting-edge IVF treatments and services. Governments in the GCC have also recognized the importance of reproductive health, leading to favorable policies and regulations that support and regulate the IVF industry. Rapid advancements in IVF technology, including preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and in vitro maturation (IVM), have bolstered the success rates of fertility treatments in the GCC. The market also benefits from increasing medical tourism, with individuals from neighboring regions seeking high-quality and accessible IVF services in the GCC. In conclusion, the GCC IVF market is poised for continued expansion, driven by changing demographics, improved healthcare infrastructure, favorable regulatory environments, and ongoing advancements in reproductive medicine. This sector is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing infertility-related challenges in the region.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Infertility is Thriving the GCC In-Vitro Fertilization Market

Infertility is highly prevalent today. According to Research gate, in the GCC countries, clinical fertility and the demographic fertility report as 17.2% and 38.5%, respectively. Infertility can be caused by many factors, including lifestyle changes, stress, hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, and aging. In GCC countries, changes in social conditions such as late marriage, work-oriented lifestyles, and urbanization are leading to an increase in infertility. The main symptom of infertility is the inability to conceive and about one-third of the infertility rises from female factors. In the remaining cases, the cause is either unknown or a combination of male and female infertility issues.

Factors such as rising obesity rates, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and environmental pollution have also led to an increase in fertility problems in GCC countries. As per the National Library of Medicine, the prevalence of obesity among female children and adolescents in Gulf Countries ranged from3% to 18% in 2020.

There are a number of factors which contribute to the growth of the GCC in-vitro fertilization market. Firstly, the increasing prevalence of infertility has led to a higher demand for IVF treatments. Couples who are unable to conceive naturally are turning to IVF as a viable option to fulfill their desire to have a child. Additionally, advances in reproductive technology and increasing success rates of IVF have increased the confidence of couples seeking fertility treatments, further increasing the demand for IVF services in the GCC countries. 

Secondly, the growing awareness and acceptance of infertility as a medical condition in the GCC have led to more couples seeking professional help. Earlier, infertility was often stigmatized or kept hidden due to cultural or societal reasons. However, with changing mindsets and increasing awareness about infertility and its treatments, more couples are coming forward to seek fertility treatments, including IVF, leading to increased adoption among people with infertility conditions.

According to research carried out by ART Fertility Clinics, infertility rates in GCC states in 2020 were as high as 35 to 40 percent. Furthermore, the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome among women in the GCC countries is contributing to the growth of the market. As per the National Library of Medicine, at least 20%-25% of women in the Gulf region suffer from PCOS.

Rising Awareness and Literacy Rate in the GCC Region

One of the main drivers of the increased demand for IVF is the growing awareness of infertility and available treatment options. Changes in social norms and increased access to information via the internet and social media have led couples to more openly discuss fertility issues and seek help from fertility clinics. Moreover, the GCC has a strong culture of health promotion and many GCC organizations and NGOs are actively working to raise awareness in the field of infertility and pregnancy. Furthermore, celebrities and public figures openly sharing their IVF success stories have played a significant role in raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with infertility.

For ensuring the safety and ethical practice of IVF, legal frameworks have also been developed by governments. These regulations assure that fertility centers adhere to comprehensive quality standards, protect patients' privacy and comply with proper procedures for processing and storage of embryos. It also contributed to the growing need for IVF, by building trust between couples that sought services in this area. For instance, Dubai Fertility Centre was established in collaboration between Dubai Health Authority and London Fertility Centre. The Centre provides a comprehensive and Innovative range of infertility treatments solutions for couples who live in the United Arab Emirates, and visiting couples in the other countries, especially GCC. The center's objectives is to provide specialized fertility services within the Gulf region. Furthermore, the new IVF law was announced by the President of the United Arab Emirates, which allowed the fertility centers to freeze unfertilized eggs, sperms, and human embryos, thereby driving the growth of the GCC in-vitro fertilization market.

As per the National Library of Medicine, there is a direct relationship between the literacy and infertility rate, which show that the prevalence of infertility decreases significantly with the rising literacy rates in the GCC region. Moreover, it was found that high literacy rates were associated with a higher rate of infant survival. As per the United Nations Population Fund, Oman has the highest literacy rate of 93.3% in the GCC followed by Kuwait, that is 86.5%.

Women in resource-poor, predominantly immigrant communities seeking fertility treatment have greater knowledge gaps in fertility and lower levels of health literacy than women in well-resourced clinical settings. Hence, rising literacy levels especially among the women in GCC are expected to spur the growth of the GCC in-vitro fertilization market during the forecast period.

Rising Reproductive Tourism

The number of medical tourists travelling to the United Arab Emirates for fertility treatment, especially IVF, is increasing. Medical tourists from all over the Gulf Cooperation Council, East and North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Asia prefer to travel to the United Arab Emirates for world class healthcare, ease of access and competitive affordability offered by the country, which is spurring the growth of the GCC in-vitro fertilization market.

To promote and develop the domestic medical tourism market, infertility centers in the GCC provides Skype consultations for patients, coordinates the stimulation process in their home countries, and also arranges medical visas, hotel accommodation and transportation, which augments the growth of the market. As per the Dubai Health Authority, medical tourist spending in Dubai was reported to be 198.75 million USD in 2021. In 2021, Dubai received 630,000 tourists from abroad for healthcare. In 2021, the top three regions for fertility treatment in Dubai were Asia (34%), Africa (24%), and Europe (19%). 

As per the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), Abu Dhabi has been placed 8th out of 46 destinations in 2020 to 2021 health tourism rankings and 9th for quality of facilities and services. Several factors are responsible for increasing reproductive medical tourism in GCC. These include, high quality medical treatment, strict safety measures and regulatory, advanced medical technologies, easy accommodation, and the well certified and professional healthcare team, which attracts a large number of tourist around the globe for infertility treatment.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates launched Medical tourism portals (Abu Dhabi Medical Tourism portal, Dubai Health Experience) to allow international tourist to book appointment for various procedures, as well as access to a wide range of tourism services. Services range from direct contact with healthcare providers, visa issuance, reservation of accommodation and transport for travel to other recreational activities.

In addition, GCC countries are excellent destination for relaxing and recuperating from medical procedures due to the heat and humidity of their climate, which is responsible for attracting reproductive tourism, thereby driving the growth of the GCC in-vitro fertilization market.