BarcelonaThe birth rate in Catalonia is in free fall and is the lowest in the last 30 years. In 2023, 54,182 children were born, the lowest number as 1995, when the historic low in births was recorded. Among the various factors influencing this decline is the delay in motherhood, as Catalans increasingly seek to have children later and reproductive capacity is progressively lost with age. According to the Minister of Health, Olga Pané, many couples start trying after the age of 35, warning that at these ages “fertility is very reduced”. For this reason,the demand for assisted reproduction techniques has grown in recent years. There are currently around 3,000 people waiting for fertilization in vitro in Catalan healthcare, with an average waiting time of 274 days. In 2020 this time was more than 500 days.
“We have waiting lists that reach up to a year and there are around 20 patients who have been waiting for more than a year. thus, it is indeed significant to provide us with more resources,” defended Pané on Monday after visiting the new Assisted Human Reproduction Laboratory of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. According to the Department of Health, the budget allocated for assisted reproduction has grown by 6.6% in the last year and currently amounts to approximately 14 million euros. This has allowed us to increase the number of professionals and reduce waiting times, but it is indeed necessary to “continue to improve accessibility”, said Ramon Escuriet, director of the Department’s Sexual, Affective and Reproductive Health Plan, in a conversation with NOW.
Although it claims that demand is increasing,the department has not quantified the total number of people interested in assisted reproductive techniques that exist in Catalonia,and recognizes that private healthcare takes on a “significant volume of activity”. Women and trans people with the ability to conceive up to 40, which is the age limit, and have up to three attempts with a “high success rate” can access public health care, Escuriet said. Interested people must go to the Sexual and Reproductive Health Units (ASSIR) of primary care, where the type of technique they will follow is selected and they enter a single waiting list for the whole of Catalonia.
Increase capacity
In the case of the Hospital Clínic the waiting list has been halved and is now around seven months. The head of the center’s assisted Human Reproduction section, Dolors Manau, predicts that the list will be shortened ”even more” thanks to the new laboratory, which allows us to be more agile in carrying out procedures and obtaining results. “we have increased the number of fertilization cycles in vitro (IVF).Society demands more and more,” Manau said. Apart from the fertilization program in vitro standard,they offer others,such as fertility preservation,transgender care and gamete donation.
So far the Clinical Hospital is carrying out 670 fertilizations in vitro and 56 pre-implantation tubes per year, while with the new laboratory it is expected to exceed 1,000 fertilization cycles in vitro in a year Pané celebrated the launch of this laboratory, given that Spain is the country with the lowest birth rate in Europe (followed by Malta), with figures of around 1.1 children per woman. it is a general trend in the rest of the countries, but more pronounced in the State.
How has teh demand for assisted reproduction services changed in Catalonia,and what measures are being taken to accommodate this growing need?
Interview: The Declining Birth rate in Catalonia and the Growing Demand for Assisted Reproduction
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today to discuss the alarming decline in birth rates in Catalonia. As an expert in reproductive health, can you provide insight into what has contributed to these historically low birth rates?
Expert (E): Thank you for having me. The decline in birth rates in Catalonia,with only 54,182 children born in 2023,is influenced by several factors. A notable contributor is the trend of delayed motherhood. Many individuals, notably women, are choosing to start families later in life, typically after the age of 35. As fertility naturally decreases with age, this trend has severe implications for successful conception.
TNE: That’s a crucial point.What role do assisted reproductive technologies play in addressing these challenges?
E: Absolutely. As more couples start their families later,the demand for assisted reproduction techniques has surged. In Catalonia, we currently have approximately 3,000 individuals waiting for in vitro fertilization (IVF) services, with an average waiting period of 274 days. This indicates a clear need for advancement in resource allocation and healthcare access.
TNE: Can you elaborate on what steps the Catalan government is taking to meet this growing demand for assisted reproductive services?
E: According to minister of Health Olga Pané, there has been a notable increase in the budget for assisted reproduction, which has grown by 6.6% in the past year, amounting to around 14 million euros. This funding increase is aimed at enhancing resources, increasing the number of professionals in the field, and ultimately reducing waiting times. The waiting list has already been halved at some facilities, such as the Hospital Clínic, where they expect to exceed 1,000 IVF cycles per year with the help of a new laboratory.
TNE: That’s a positive development.How accessible are these services to prospective parents?
E: Access is generally available for women and trans individuals who can conceive up to the age of 40,providing them with up to three attempts at IVF through public healthcare.However, many interested individuals may turn to private healthcare systems, which currently handle a significant volume of assisted reproductive activities. It’s imperative that we continue to enhance accessibility and efficiency in the public system.
TNE: What advice would you offer potential parents considering assisted reproductive services in light of these conditions?
E: I would advise anyone considering assisted reproduction to seek out the Sexual and Reproductive Health Units (ASSIR) in primary care, where they can get guidance on the appropriate techniques for their situation and join a centralized waiting list. Engaging early in these services can also help alleviate some of the time-related pressures associated with aging and fertility.
TNE: It truly seems like while the challenge is significant, there are also steps being taken to address the issue. Can you summarize the implications of these developments for the future birth rates in Catalonia?
E: It’s clear that the birth rate crisis in Catalonia reflects broader social trends across Europe. However, with increased investment in assisted reproduction and a commitment to improving service accessibility, there is potential for better outcomes. It is indeed critical that we continue to adapt our healthcare systems to meet mounting societal needs and support families looking to have children.
TNE: Thank you for your valuable insights on this pressing issue. As we continue to monitor the effects of policies and available healthcare resources, we hope to see positive changes in Catalonia’s birth rates.
E: Thank you for having me. It’s a conversation we must keep alive as we navigate the complexities of reproductive health.