When you’re planning your fertility treatments, the cost is one of the most significant considerations. Sadly, the high cost of IVF rules this treatment out for many people. While some countries and regions fund IVF as a necessary medical intervention, in most places the costs are out of pocket for the patient.
IVF prices are highly variable around the world. Check out some of the price estimates for IVF costs in different countries.
IVF prices in the UK
Sadly, NHS coverage for IVF and IUI is highly dependent on where you live in the UK, in what is called the ‘post-code lottery.’ Up to three cycles might be covered in one borough, while just down the road there is no coverage at all. While this is a constant source of debate, the inequalities haven’t yet been evened out.
For people going the private route, there are two main options – low-cost clinics, and traditional fertility clinics. Low-cost clinics, such as ABC IVF, only offer services to women under the age of 37, and charge around £2,500 per cycle, including medications. Traditional fertility clinics charge £4,000 and £5,000 per cycle, including medications and scans.
IVF prices in the United States of America
With very few states mandating any insurance coverage for IVF, costs are up to individuals. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, the average cost of IVF in the US runs between $10,000 to $15,000. However, this already high cost can skyrocket when you start adding additional investigative procedures, testing, medications, genetic testing, and/or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In some cases, a single cycle of IVF can end up costing more than $30,000.
According to Dr Tony Propst, a reproductive endocrinologist in Austin, Texas: “Some patients may need more medications to stimulate their ovaries than others, and that could increase their costs.” Donor eggs and sperm can also increase the costs significantly.
IVF prices in Canada
Canada may have socialised health care very similar to that found in Europe, but IVF is not covered in most provinces. Ontario’s OHIP covers one cycle of IVF cycle for patients under the 43, and they cover unlimited cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI). That said, medication and testing costs are up to the patient, which can be very expensive. Manitoba, Quebec, and New Brunswick offer grants and tax credits to cover a portion of the costs, between $8,000 and CAD 20,000.
For all other provinces (and once you have exhausted your government benefits in Ontario, Manitoba, NB, and Quebec), one cycle of IVF costs between CAD $10,000 to 20,000, with the lower cost options offered by discount clinics. Sperm and egg donation, genetic testing, and other medical investigations can all add to the costs.
IVF prices in Mexico
Attracted by the lower prices, many Americans make the journey to Mexico for all manner of medical treatments. Despite their lower prices, there are plenty of reputable and reliable fertility clinics across the country. At the lower end of the price spectrum, IVF costs start at $4,000 USD in Mexico, and increase to $7,500 USD when medications and additional testing is included.
IVF prices in South America
IVF and other reproductive treatments are available across the South American continent, but Argentina is increasingly attracting international medical tourists. This is due to low prices, high-quality clinics, and liberal laws around egg donation. Locals benefit from highly subsidized or free IVF, regardless of their marital status and sexual orientation.
Even people from neighbouring Uruguay are heading to Argentina for treatment, attracted by cycles that cost around $4,000 each.
IVF prices in Europe
IVF prices are extremely variable across Europe, with the lowest prices found in Latvia, Czech Republic, and Poland. The prices are around €2,500 to €3,500 with your own eggs, and €4,200 to €5,000 with donor eggs. Ukraine and Russia can be even cheaper, but most patients prefer to stay in the EU due to their more stringent regulations.
At a slightly more expensive price range, Cyprus and Greece offer world-class treatment between €3,500- €4,000 for own eggs, and €5,500- €6,000 for donor eggs. Spain is slightly more expensive again, at €4,500 for treatment with your own eggs, and around €6,500 for IVF with donor eggs.
Countries such as France, Germany, Netherlands, and Austria have higher prices, but most residents are covered for free under their healthcare. Surprisingly, Denmark has very low IVF prices at private clinics, at 42,000 Danish kroner (approximately €5,500) for a 3 cycle package, plus the costs of medication. That said, its high cost of living prevents many foreigners from seeking treatments at Danish clinics.
IVF prices in South Asia
Fertility treatments are widespread in India and Pakistan, yet the prices might be higher than you would expect. One cycle of IVF costs between 1,00,000 to 3,50000 Indian Rupees (approximately $1,317 to $4,610), including all investigations and medications. Prices in Pakistan and Nepal are slightly lower, but the clinics in India tend to be of higher quality and better reputation.
IVF prices in Asia
While many medical tourists flock to Southeast Asia for plastic surgery and dental procedures, IVF prices are shockingly high in Thailand. While the clinics are fantastic and the success rates on par with global averages, one cycle costs around $7,500 USD, including medications and scans.
IVF in Japan costs around ¥500 000 ($4,700 USD) per cycle, and is around the same price in China, despite China’s otherwise lower cost of living. In fact, IVF in China can be quite costly, with the average price per cycle around 20,000 to 30,000 RMB ($4,500 USD), with an additional 5000 RMB added for ICSI. No medical insurance covers fertility treatments in China, so IVF remains out of reach for many Chinese people.
IVF prices in Africa
Africa is a massive continent, and IVF prices are highly variable in different countries. The cost for IVF with ICSI in South Africa is around R60 000 – R70 000 ($4,200 USD) per cycle. In East Africa, Nairobi fertility clinics charge around the same, between $3,500 and $4,400 USD per cycle. In Accra, the typical prices are in line with those stated above, but a low-cost alternative shows promise, and is only around $1,000 per cycle.