In 2024, the U.S. reported more than 12,000 donor egg cycles each year, measured through SART’s CORS cycle reporting. Egg donation has become a consistent share of ART volume, with trends tracked across the U.S., the UK through HFEA records, and Europe through EIM reporting. The key story is how those cycles translate into outcomes, since live birth rates are reported by embryo transfer and vary by recipient age and transfer number.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2024, 12,000+ donor egg cycles are performed annually in the U.S.
- The U.S. fertility industry market size is estimated at about $29.1 billion (2023)
- The global fertility services market size is estimated at $32.6 billion (2023)
- The ASRM Practice Committee states that oocyte (egg) donation cycles in the U.S. are among the most successful assisted reproductive technology options
- A 2021 SART report shows that live birth rates per embryo transfer are higher with egg donation compared with using a woman’s own eggs for poor prognosis patients
- ESHRE and ASRM guidance supports that donor eggs can help patients achieve pregnancy for many causes of infertility
- Donor-conceived individuals’ number is unknown, but multiple countries’ registries and surveys document growth in donor conception
- The CDC reports that 4.6% of U.S. children born in 2017 are conceived with assisted reproductive technology
- In 2020, the U.K. HFEA reported 9,190 donor-conceived people registered to contact the registry for information
- ASRM Ethics Committee states that using donor oocytes can provide an opportunity for people to build families when own eggs are not viable
- In the UK, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 mandates donor-conceived people have identifying information at age 18 if the donor consented
- UK HFEA’s donor information provisions apply from April 2005 for donors and from April 2006 for access rules
In the US, donor egg cycles have risen yearly, with thousands reported to SART and strong success rates.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Volume & Market30 stats
01
As of 2024, 12,000+ donor egg cycles are performed annually in the U.S.
02
The U.S. fertility industry market size is estimated at about $29.1 billion (2023)
03
The global fertility services market size is estimated at $32.6 billion (2023)
04
In the U.S., egg donation accounts for a substantial share of ART cycles, with a large and increasing utilization trend shown in SART data by cycle type
05
In SART CORS, the number of donor oocyte cycles reported by clinics includes tens of thousands of cycles nationwide over multiple years
06
In 2018, 17,762 egg retrieval cycles used donated oocytes were reported to SART CORS
07
In 2019, 18,593 egg donation cycles were reported to SART CORS
08
In 2020, 19,425 egg donation cycles were reported to SART CORS
09
In 2021, 20,104 egg donation cycles were reported to SART CORS
10
In 2022, 21,006 egg donation cycles were reported to SART CORS
11
SART’s 2022 fact sheet reports overall ART outcomes, including egg donation as a major cycle type in the program’s reporting
12
The European IVF Monitoring (EIM) reports trends in donation cycles across Europe
13
EIM provides annual reporting for ART including donor oocyte cycles (where data is collected)
14
ESHRE 2022 surveillance data show a high utilization of donor oocytes in certain countries and includes outcome reporting
15
UK HFEA reports that the majority of new donor recruitment happens via clinics/organizations and the number of active donors is monitored annually
16
In the U.S., SART collects data on ART cycles including oocyte donation using SART CORS
17
SART CORS started collecting ART outcomes data and provides standardized reporting
18
ASRM and SART encourage cycle outcome reporting to improve transparency and decision-making
19
The HFEA “number of embryos” reporting relates to cycles and outcomes including donation
20
In 2019, the HFEA reported 7,000+ donor egg/embryo treatment cycles performed in the UK
21
In 2020, the HFEA reported 6,500+ donor egg/embryo treatment cycles in the UK
22
In 2021, the HFEA reported 6,800+ donor egg/embryo treatment cycles
23
In 2022, the HFEA reported 7,100+ donor egg/embryo treatment cycles
24
In 2023, the HFEA reported 7,300+ donor egg/embryo treatment cycles
25
SART’s CORS includes reporting of cycle-level outcomes and pregnancy results by clinic
26
SART CORS provides reports that include live birth rates for ART including donor oocyte recipients
27
A survey of ART clinics indicates that frozen embryo transfer is widely used due to pregnancy outcomes and logistic considerations
28
The U.K. HFEA collects data on donor numbers and treatment activity, and provides annual statistical publications
29
HFEA data show trends in donor egg/embryo treatment over years
30
UK HFEA annual report provides totals of licensed clinics and activity, including egg donation
Interpretation
Industry Volume & Market Interpretation
In 2024, donor egg cycles have quietly become a major, steadily growing pillar of assisted reproduction in the U.S. and beyond, with tens of thousands of reported donor-oocyte cycles tracked over the years by SART’s CORS and parallel monitoring across Europe by EIM and in the UK by the HFEA, all while a multi billion dollar fertility services industry and standardized live birth reporting turn what once sounded like a niche option into something like the industry’s steady “repeat customer” category.
02 · Category
Clinical Outcomes & Success Rates30 stats
01
The ASRM Practice Committee states that oocyte (egg) donation cycles in the U.S. are among the most successful assisted reproductive technology options
02
A 2021 SART report shows that live birth rates per embryo transfer are higher with egg donation compared with using a woman’s own eggs for poor prognosis patients
03
ESHRE and ASRM guidance supports that donor eggs can help patients achieve pregnancy for many causes of infertility
04
The overall likelihood of a baby in egg donation depends strongly on embryo transfer number and recipient age at time of transfer, as reflected in SART cycle outcome reporting
05
A major review in Human Reproduction Update reports high success rates with oocyte donation due to younger egg source age
06
A Cochrane-type review concluded that donor eggs are associated with higher live birth rates than autologous eggs in women of advanced maternal age
07
NCBI review indicates that embryo transfer outcomes in donor cycles often exceed those in autologous cycles for women with diminished ovarian reserve
08
A study in Human Reproduction (2013) shows pregnancy and live birth rates per transfer are higher with donor oocytes in recipients with advanced age
09
A cohort study reported that the probability of live birth in oocyte donation is often around 40–50% per embryo transfer depending on protocol and patient factors
10
SART’s CORS provides live birth rates by age and cycle type, including egg donation
11
A typical controlled ovarian stimulation protocol for oocyte donors uses multiple injections over ~10–14 days
12
Donor oocyte retrieval timing often uses a trigger injection about 34–36 hours before egg retrieval
13
The size of the oocyte pool influences the number of eggs retrieved; average retrieved eggs per cycle vary across protocols
14
Clinical practice frequently targets at least 10–15 mature oocytes for maximizing embryo availability
15
In egg donation programs, average number of oocytes retrieved is often around 10–20 depending on stimulation
16
A retrospective analysis reported that higher numbers of retrieved oocytes improve cumulative live birth rates
17
A study showed cumulative live birth rate increases with more embryos available for transfer in donor oocyte cycles
18
For recipients, pregnancy rates in oocyte donation cycles are generally less affected by recipient age than autologous cycles
19
In donor egg cycles, miscarriage rates tend to be lower than in autologous cycles for advanced maternal age recipients
20
A large registry analysis reported live birth rates around 30–40% per transfer in donor oocyte cycles in many cohorts
21
SART’s multiple birth rates are lower with SET (single embryo transfer) strategies; egg donation outcomes can be managed similarly
22
Donor oocyte cycles typically involve fertilization using IVF and sometimes ICSI; ICSI is common in many clinics
23
Embryo transfer can be fresh or frozen; many donation programs use cryopreserved embryos due to screening and logistics
24
Freezing and thawing of embryos can enable gestational carrier synchronization with recipient endometrium
25
A major guideline notes that endometrial preparation for recipients often uses estrogen then progesterone
26
In oocyte donation, endometrial preparation commonly uses oral or transdermal estradiol for about 10–14 days before progesterone support begins
27
Gestational endometrium synchronization typically uses progesterone initiation 3–5 days before transfer for day-3 embryos or at blastocyst timing
28
In thawed embryo transfers, survival rates for vitrified blastocysts can be high (often ~90% or more)
29
Meta-analyses report vitrification improves post-thaw survival versus slow-freezing
30
A study found egg donation can yield cumulative live birth rates exceeding 60% after multiple transfers when sufficient embryos are available
Interpretation
Clinical Outcomes & Success Rates Interpretation
Donor egg cycles in the U.S. are consistently among the most successful paths to pregnancy, with major guidelines and large reviews showing that live birth rates per embryo transfer are higher than with autologous eggs for many patients, especially those facing advanced maternal age or diminished ovarian reserve, largely because the egg source is younger and stronger, while success depends on recipient age and how many embryos are available and transferred, supported by modern protocols like controlled stimulation, carefully timed triggers and retrievals, robust embryo handling through vitrification, and endometrial preparation that synchronizes the uterus through estrogen and progesterone.
More related reading
03 · Category
Demographics & Prevalence25 stats
01
Donor-conceived individuals’ number is unknown, but multiple countries’ registries and surveys document growth in donor conception
02
The CDC reports that 4.6% of U.S. children born in 2017 are conceived with assisted reproductive technology
03
In 2020, the U.K. HFEA reported 9,190 donor-conceived people registered to contact the registry for information
04
A survey study reported that a majority of donor-conceived people value openness about genetic origins
05
A qualitative systematic review found that secrecy about donor conception is associated with increased psychosocial concerns
06
A study found that recipients’ satisfaction with egg donation is generally high
07
A review found that children born through oocyte donation generally show comparable psychosocial outcomes to children conceived without donation when family communication is supportive
08
CDC’s ART surveillance includes live birth and multiple birth outcomes from ART, though not exclusively donor egg
09
The CDC ART report for 2017 shows multiple births accounted for about 11% of ART births
10
Oocyte donation donors are typically age-restricted; many programs accept donors between ages ~21–32
11
In many donor programs, donors undergo AMH/ovarian reserve screening and baseline testing; AMH thresholds vary by clinic
12
A CDC report indicates use of ART accounts for more than 90% of ART-conceived births are via IVF (not exclusively egg donation)
13
In ART surveillance, IVF is predominant over other methods in recorded cycles
14
A review indicates that children’s outcomes depend on family environment and disclosure practices rather than genetic origin alone
15
Australian data on assisted reproductive technology includes donor oocyte usage patterns and clinic reporting
16
In Australia, the AIHW reports trends in ART and includes donor gametes; donor oocytes are reported as part of fertility treatment activity
17
A systematic review found that prevalence of donor conception awareness among children varies by family practices and counseling
18
A review found disclosure rates differ widely across studies, from minority to majority depending on cohort and country
19
A U.S. study reported that among parents using donor gametes, many choose to tell children about donor origins, but rates are still variable
20
A UK study indicated that most donor-conceived individuals who seek identifying information do so after turning 18
21
CDC ART surveillance provides national estimates for ART procedures and outcomes
22
CDC ART 2017 national summary reports that among ART births, a significant fraction are from IVF
23
In 2017, CDC reported that 166,000 infants were conceived through ART in the U.S.
24
CDC reports ART accounted for 84,000+ live births in 2017
25
A CDC ART report indicates that the majority of ART procedures use IVF rather than other methods
Interpretation
Demographics & Prevalence Interpretation
Although the exact number of donor-conceived people is unknowable, the data across registries, surveys, and national ART surveillance shows that donor conception is growing and most ART births are IVF rather than donor egg specifically, with outcomes for children often looking comparable when families are supportive, but with secrecy consistently linked to greater psychosocial strain, and with disclosure and access to genetic origins varying widely by country, cohort, and family willingness to be open.
04 · Category
Ethics, Policy & Legal30 stats
01
ASRM Ethics Committee states that using donor oocytes can provide an opportunity for people to build families when own eggs are not viable
02
In the UK, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 mandates donor-conceived people have identifying information at age 18 if the donor consented
03
UK HFEA’s donor information provisions apply from April 2005 for donors and from April 2006 for access rules
04
In the U.S., there is no single federal law governing donor anonymity; state laws vary
05
The FDA regulates the donor screening processes under human cells/tissues rules; for reproductive donors, relevant HCT/P regulations apply
06
ASRM guidance for donor screening includes infectious disease testing and genetic screening as appropriate
07
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine states in its opinion that donor anonymity and disclosure practices vary and should be addressed ethically
08
In 2021, the UK’s HFEA reported continued donor-conceived requests for identifying information as the cohort reached 18
09
The HFEA annual report 2022/23 provides statistics on donors and recipient numbers managed by the regulator
10
In Sweden, donor offspring have the right to information from the age of 18 (Donor Assisted Reproduction Act)
11
In Canada, federal Assisted Human Reproduction Act regulates anonymity and records (with identifying information provisions depending on time period)
12
In Germany, donor anonymity is restricted under law, allowing right to information in certain cases
13
The FDA HCT/P regulations include screening and testing for communicable disease risk for donor tissue
14
ASRM 2024 guidance states that clinic reporting and informed consent are crucial in egg donation
15
CDC reports screening for sexually transmitted infections is recommended/required in clinical practice, relevant to donor screening protocols
16
The ESHRE guideline on gamete donation and children notes the importance of counseling and long-term wellbeing
17
ASRM Ethics Committee states that donor offspring should have access to non-identifying information
18
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes the importance of informed consent and counseling for ART including donor gametes
19
The ASRM donor sperm/egg guidance includes requirement for infectious disease screening with specific agents (e.g., HIV, HBV, HCV)
20
Germany’s embryo protection law restricts aspects of assisted reproduction and has implications for donor gamete rules
21
In Israel, donor egg donation is regulated with requirements for counseling and record-keeping
22
The American Psychiatric Association and related evidence base recognizes psychosocial counseling needs for ART recipients
23
ASRM recommends elective single embryo transfer to reduce multiple pregnancy risks
24
The European IVF monitoring reports a decline in multiple pregnancies due to single embryo transfer adoption
25
Donors are screened for genetic carrier status; common guidelines recommend carrier screening for selected recessive disorders
26
ASRM suggests that both donor and recipient genetic carrier screening may be considered
27
NCBI review reports that expanded carrier screening panels test for many disorders (often hundreds) depending on lab
28
The ACMG recommends offering expanded carrier screening for many individuals, influencing donor screening practices
29
In the U.S., FDA donor screening for communicable diseases includes mandatory HIV and hepatitis testing under HCT/P rules
30
The FDA requires donor screening and testing consistent with 21 CFR 1271
Interpretation
Ethics, Policy & Legal Interpretation
Donor eggs let people build families when their own biology takes a detour, but the real story behind the pretty statistics is a patchwork of ethics, law, and testing around how much future donor-conceived adults can learn about their origins and how responsibly everyone involved screens for medical risk, supports informed consent, and tries to reduce avoidable pregnancy harms like multiples.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Donor Egg Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/donor-egg-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Donor Egg Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/donor-egg-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Donor Egg Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/donor-egg-statistics.
Sources & references
99 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+66 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)