Sweden Expands IVF Funding Amid Low Birthrate

Sweden Expands IVF Funding Amid Low Birthrate

Sweden's government, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, has expanded state-funded in vitro fertilization (IVF) access in response to the country's declining fertility rate, which reached 1.42 in 2023, its lowest since 1749. The initiative, central to Kristersson's re-election campaign, aims to address demographic challenges and support family formation.

The government recently increased the number of state-funded IVF attempts for first-time parents from three to six. Furthermore, Kristersson has pledged to extend state funding for IVF to cover attempts for additional children if his Moderate Party-led coalition retains power in the upcoming September general election. Currently, a single IVF attempt for subsequent children costs approximately 50,000 kronor (about £3,975).

This policy adjustment follows official statistics indicating a significant drop in Sweden's fertility rate despite generous parental leave and subsidized childcare provisions. The government has also commissioned a study, similar to Norway's, to investigate methods for reversing the demographic trend, which projects each future generation to be approximately one-third smaller than the preceding one if current rates persist.