What are the IVF Success Rates?

• Success rates by age
• Chances based on positive β-hCG and live births
• Average IVF success rates in Europe
• IVF success rates by country
• IVF success rates over 40
• Chances of IVF success over multiple cycles
• Frozen embryo transfer (FET) success rates
• What factors influence IVF success rates
• IVF for single women and same-sex couples

IVF success rates vary between age groups. Woman under 35 have a +33% chance of pregnancy and live birth, while the rates stagger to less than 5% for woman over 42. Age remains the single most important factor influencing IVF success, as egg quality and ovarian reserve naturally decrease over time. Here’s an overview of average IVF success rates per cycle:

• Under 35: around 32–40%
• Ages 35–37: about 25–30%
• Ages 38–40: around 15–20%
• Ages 41–42: about 5–10%
• Over 42: below 5%

The cumulative IVF success rate increases significantly when several cycles are completed.

There are different ways of measuring IVF-success rates. As a result, you may find that statistics vary. These are the success rates when measuring the number of pregnancies achieved after egg retrieval (positive β-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin)) and the number of live births. The statistics are based on numbers from Global Reproductive Health.

Positive pregnancy test after egg retrieval

Live births rates for each age group

In Europe, the average IVF success rate is around 30–40% per cycle for people under 35. These numbers are based on national and European fertility registers and can vary slightly depending on the clinic, technology, and personal circumstances.

• Average IVF pregnancy rate (fresh embryos): ~31% per embryo transferred
• Average birth rate per fresh embryo transfer: ~35% for people aged 18–34
• Ages 18–34: ~40–42% per cycle
• Ages 35–37: ~25–30%
• Ages 38–40: ~15–20%
• Ages 41–42: ~8–10%
• Ages 43–44: ~5–9% when using their own eggs

IVF success rates differ across Europe due to variations in legislation, laboratory methods and the people undergoing treatment.

Here is an overview of average pregnancy rates per IVF cycle for individuals under 35.

The IVF success rate for women over 40 is usually less than 20-15%. Fertility naturally declines with age, which can impact success rates. As a result, for women considering IVF at 40 or over, the journey can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Although it is still possible to have IVF at 40 with your own eggs, the chances of success are lower compared to younger women due to a decrease in egg quality and quantity. However, personalized treatment and medical support can help improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.

IVF with donor eggs over the age of 40 is another option that can increase the chances of pregnancy for those who are exploring alternatives. Donor eggs help overcome age-related challenges and offer another path to parenthood for women in their 40s.

If IVF doesn’t work the first time, that’s completely normal. Research shows that success builds over time, and by the third cycle, your chances can almost double.

Many individuals or couples conceive within three IVF cycles, which is why fertility specialists often recommend planning for multiple rounds.

If you’re curious about how the two treatments compare in outcomes, you can also explore our overview of IUI success rates for a clear picture of success probabilities across both options.

At European Sperm Bank, we know that choosing where to have treatment is a big decision.
We believe that clear, comparable information helps make that choice feel a little easier.

Frozen embryo transfer (FET) has become more common in recent years. For people under 35, frozen embryo transfer success rates are typically 30–35% per cycle, depending on embryo quality and freezing technique. Thereby, the success rate of frozen transfers is now comparable to or even slightly higher than fresh transfers. What matters most is the timing and the overall quality of the embryos.

For 5–day frozen embryo transfers, success rates are often between 30–40%, depending on embryo quality and uterine readiness. Allowing the body to recover after egg retrieval may improve receptivity and overall implantation rates.

Advantages of frozen embryo transfers

One advantage of frozen embryo transfers is the ability to optimize the timing for implantation. For some women, it may be better to recover from the stimulation phase of IVF before proceeding with treatment.

Many factors play a role in IVF outcomes that can be both biological and lifestyle–related:

• Age of the individual
• Egg and sperm quality
• Number of embryos transferred
• Uterine and hormonal health
• Lifestyle factors such as BMI, smoking, stress and alcohol
• Clinic experience and laboratory technology

If sperm quality is low, methods such as ICSI in contrast to IVF can significantly improve fertilization rates.

For others, comparing IUI to IVF can help determine which treatment is best suited to their fertility profile.

Success rates for IVF for single women or reciprocal IVF are generally comparable to traditional IVF, if donor eggs or sperm are of high quality. The key determinant remains age and egg quality, regardless of relationship status.

Higher treatment costs don’t always mean higher success rates. What matters most is the personalization of treatment, timing of transfer, and overall care throughout the process. You can read more about the financial aspects of treatment with donor sperm here or learn more about IVF costs, specifically.

IVF doesn’t always work the first time and that’s completely normal. Only about one in three IVF cycles leads to pregnancy on the first attempt, but success rates rise with each round. By the third cycle, the cumulative success rate reaches around 65–70%.

Clinics calculate success rates differently. Some report clinical pregnancy per embryo transfer; others live birth per cycle started. On average, live birth rates tend to be slightly lower than pregnancy rates, as not all pregnancies result in delivery.

Low sperm count or poor motility doesn’t mean IVF can’t work. With ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), a single sperm can be injected directly into an egg leading to fertilization rates like those with normal sperm.

There’s no strict minimum sperm count for IVF. Generally, 10–15 million sperm per ml is considered normal, but with ICSI, IVF can succeed even with significantly lower counts as only one healthy sperm per egg is needed.

Most people achieve pregnancy within three IVF cycles. Doctors often recommend pausing between treatments to let the body recover and assess the next steps.

Some women get pregnant at their first attempt, while others may need several cycles of treatment. As with many things related to fertility treatment, success often varies based on personal factors. So, what is the success rate of IVF on the first try? It’s difficult to put exact numbers on this question. But in general, more women under 35 get pregnant in their first IVF cycle compared to older age groups.

Embryo transfer success rates typically improve with multiple attempts, as subsequent cycles allow for adjustments and optimisations based on previous experience.

IVF (In vitro fertilization) is a type of fertility treatment that can be used to treat a wide range of fertility problems. This is done by combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory. Once one or more embryos are formed, they are transferred to the uterus.

Thanks to improved lab techniques, genetic testing, and embryo freezing, IVF success rates today continue to rise every year.

Still, every journey is unique, and for many, understanding these numbers can make the path to parenthood feel a little clearer. What matters most is that you feel supported, informed and hopeful throughout the process.

European Sperm Bank is here to help you make informed choices — every step of the way.