Assisted reproductive technology trends in Korea: Annual report for 2022

Abstract

Objective: The Korean government implemented national insurance coverage for infertility treatment in 2017 and established a nationwide infertility treatment data collection system in 2018. This report analyzes infertility treatment cycles performed in 2022 based on this national registry. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 201 certified infertility treatment institutions in Korea. Standardized treatment forms for intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) were submitted to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service for all infertility treatment cycles conducted in 2022. Results: A total of 200,007 infertility treatment cycles were reported in 2022, consisting of 33,137 IUI cycles and 166,870 IVF cycles. Among IVF cycles, 64.6% were initiated for fresh embryo transfers and 35.4% for frozen-thawed embryo transfers. In IVF cycles, the overall clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 30.2% for fresh and 42.0% for frozen-thawed embryo transfers. The proportion of single embryo transfers has risen steadily since 2019. The most common indication for IVF was diminished ovarian reserve, while IUI was mainly performed for unexplained or malefactor infertility. Conclusion: Nationwide infertility treatment cycle reporting in Korea has enabled detailed monitoring of infertility treatment trends and outcomes. The data show a substantial increase in IVF utilization, a growing preference for frozen-thawed embryo transfer, and broader adoption of single embryo transfer consistent with global practices. Further integration with birth outcome data and longitudinal patient tracking will be essential to evaluate cumulative success rates and overall effectiveness. This national registry provides a foundation for optimizing infertility care and facilitates international benchmarking.