OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of infertility ranges widely, affecting around 186 million people worldwide. Between 12-17% of couples of reproductive age experience unwanted childbearing. The high prevalence of infertility has led to an increasing demand for assisted reproductive techniques (ART), of which in vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most widely used. Our aims to analyze the utilization of IVF in the publicly funded Hungarian healthcare system.

METHODS: The necessary database was obtained from National Hospital General Directorate, Pulvita Health Data Warehouse. During the research, the number of cases in inpatient care linked to IVF was assessed from 2010 to 2023. Further analyses were conducted related to the contribution of Hungarian hospitals in IVF, the territorial inequalities of the utilization in a county breakdown, and accounted Diagnosis Related Groups as well.

RESULTS: In the study period a total of 127,692 cases were treated in publicly funded inpatient care. The patient turnover in 2023 exceeded nearly the 2,8 times higher the number of cases in 2010. Increased state involvement from 2019 onwards has had a noticeable impact on the IVF patents’ turnover. Nevertheless, significant inequalities are still registered in the utilization on a territorial basis. Our results show a negative directional and explicitly strong correlation between the total fertility rate (TFR) in the county and the number of IVF cases (r=-0.80). The average age of the study population shows an upward tendency as the study date progresses.

CONCLUSIONS: Increase the fertility rate is a major policy purpose in Hungary. In order to enhance the domestic fertility rate the state increased its contribution in assisted reproduction. Although a linear year-on-year increase in IVF turnover can be identified, the previously existing significant territorial disparities still persist. The centers of infertility are predominantly concentrated in counties where fertility rates are below the national average.