NEARLY one in every 13 babies born in Jersey last year was conceived through IVF, new figures have revealed.
Data published for the first time last week showed that 52 out of the 698 babies born in 2025 were conceived through IVF, accounting for 7.4% of all births – more than double the UK rate.
Local fertility charity Tiny Seeds, which has campaigned for the publication of the figures for more than five years, said the “powerful” numbers show that IVF is “becoming an increasingly important part of the Island’s future”.
“For the first time, we have data on how many babies are being born in Jersey through IVF,” the charity said.
“Jersey’s birth rate is declining – 2025 saw the lowest number of births since World War II.
“The Island’s total fertility rate has fallen to 1.14, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population.
“These figures show that IVF already plays a significant role in births in Jersey and is becoming an increasingly important part of the Island’s future.”
Tiny Seeds stressed that the data captures only part of the picture, as it only includes IVF births.
“They do not include other fertility treatments or those who have needed clinical support on their journey to parenthood – meaning the true number of babies born following fertility challenges will be higher,” the charity said.
The data also showed that 120 out of 183 IVF cycles last year were self-funded, despite new access criteria for funded IVF being introduced on 1 January 2025.
The new criteria made all couples eligible for one funded cycle of the fertility treatment, irrespective of income. Those with a gross household income of less than £200,000 are eligible for two funded cycles of IVF, whilst couples earning under £82,300 are eligible for three funded cycles.
Deputy Lucy Stephenson, who is a governor of Tiny Seeds and lodged the original proposition urging the government to expand access to funded IVF, said the new data shows “just how important access to fertility treatment and care is”.
The figures come just months after the government warned that the Island could “run out of money” for publicly funded IVF this year.
In February, it emerged that staffing costs were not properly accounted for in the £620,000 annual budget.
Around £268,000 of that is set to be absorbed by staffing costs this year, reducing the number of patients who can be treated.
Without additional funding, services could be paused in November until 2027.
