GITNUXREPORT 2025

Surrogacy Statistics

Global surrogacy market worth $5.5 billion, US leads at 20%.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Surrogacy costs are higher in urban areas, with New York City surrogacy costs averaging around $130,000

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The use of altruistic surrogacy is more common in Europe, accounting for over 70% of cases in countries where it is legal

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India was once a popular surrogacy destination, hosting about 3,000 surrogacy arrangements annually before new regulations in 2015

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In some countries, commercial surrogacy is banned, notably in Germany, France, and Italy

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The first successful surrogacy case was recorded in 1985 in the United States

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Canada permits altruistic surrogacy but bans commercial surrogacy, legal since 2004

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In Australia, commercial surrogacy is prohibited, but altruistic surrogacy is allowed in certain states

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The first federal law regulating surrogacy in the US, the Surrogate Pregnancy Act, was proposed but not enacted in 1990

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The average legal process for surrogacy in the US takes approximately 12-18 months

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India’s surrogacy industry declined by approximately 80% after regulations were introduced in 2015

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In the US, commercial surrogacy requires thorough legal contracts in over 95% of cases

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The number of countries that legally permit commercial surrogacy is approximately 20, with many restricting or banning it altogether

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The cost of legal and psychological support during surrogacy arrangements can add approximately $10,000–$20,000 to total costs

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Surrogacy is legally recognized in approximately 60 countries, whereas in about 65 countries it remains illegal or unregulated

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Surrogacy clinics in Thailand ceased operations in 2015 due to legal and ethical concerns, leading to a near cessation of surrogacy travel to Thailand

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The primary legal challenges in surrogacy include parental rights and citizenship issues, affecting about 50% of international arrangements

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In Japan, commercial surrogacy is banned, but altruistic surrogacy is allowed under strict regulation, with only a few cases annually

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The global surrogacy market was valued at approximately $5.5 billion in 2021

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The United States accounts for over 20% of the global surrogacy market

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Approximately 2,000 to 4,000 babies are born annually through surrogacy in the USA

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Surrogacy costs in the US can range from $100,000 to $150,000, including medical and legal fees

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Approximately 65% of intended parents seeking surrogacy are heterosexual couples

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The total number of surrogate pregnancies worldwide is estimated to be around 10,000 annually

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There are over 700 fertility clinics globally offering surrogacy services

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In 2020, approximately 7% of ART cycles in the USA involved surrogacy arrangements

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Surrogacy arrangements have increased globally by over 20% in the past decade

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Israel has a subsidized surrogacy program for heterosexual Israeli couples, with over 400 babies born via surrogacy each year

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In Ukraine, surrogacy is legal and widely used, with an estimated 350-400 surrogacy babies born annually

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Only about 1% of surrogacy arrangements worldwide are non-disclosed or anonymous, indicating a trend toward transparency

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The average duration from intended parent’s decision to birth is approximately 15-24 months

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The use of gestational surrogates (where the surrogate has no genetic relation) accounts for about 85% of all surrogacy arrangements

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The global fertility industry, including surrogacy, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% through 2030

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The total number of surrogacy agreements signed annually in the US is estimated to be around 500-600

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Surrogacy is often more accessible to those with higher socioeconomic status, with studies showing that the average income of intended parents is significantly higher than the national median

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Surrogacy has helped over 10,000 families worldwide to have children since the 1980s, according to various industry reports

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The percentage of intended parents choosing surrogacy for genetic connection is around 50%, with others opting for non-genetic options

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The success rate of IVF with surrogate carriers is approximately 70-80%

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Surrogacy success rates are higher when using fresh embryos compared to frozen, with difference about 10-15%

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The first in-vitro fertilization (IVF) baby born via surrogacy was Louise Brown in 1978

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The median number of embryos transferred in surrogacy cycles is typically 2, to balance success and reduce risks of multiples

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The IVF success rate in women aged 30-34 is approximately 40-50%, which impacts surrogacy planning

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The average age of surrogates in the US is about 28 years

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Around 80% of surrogates in the US are motivated by financial reasons, according to surveys

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Approximately 30% of US surrogates are recruited through social media platforms, according to industry reports

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The average age of surrogates in the UK is around 30 years old

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In the US, about 40% of surrogates are motivated primarily by the desire to help others, rather than financial gain

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Key Highlights

The global surrogacy market was valued at approximately $5.5 billion in 2021
The United States accounts for over 20% of the global surrogacy market
Approximately 2,000 to 4,000 babies are born annually through surrogacy in the USA
India was once a popular surrogacy destination, hosting about 3,000 surrogacy arrangements annually before new regulations in 2015
Surrogacy costs in the US can range from $100,000 to $150,000, including medical and legal fees
In some countries, commercial surrogacy is banned, notably in Germany, France, and Italy
The success rate of IVF with surrogate carriers is approximately 70-80%
The first successful surrogacy case was recorded in 1985 in the United States
Approximately 65% of intended parents seeking surrogacy are heterosexual couples
The average age of surrogates in the US is about 28 years
Around 80% of surrogates in the US are motivated by financial reasons, according to surveys
The total number of surrogate pregnancies worldwide is estimated to be around 10,000 annually
Canada permits altruistic surrogacy but bans commercial surrogacy, legal since 2004

Did you know that the surrogacy industry is a booming $5.5 billion global market, with the United States accounting for over 20% of the total, and that nearly 10,000 babies are born worldwide each year through this life-changing process?

Geographic Trends and Regional Regulations

Surrogacy costs are higher in urban areas, with New York City surrogacy costs averaging around $130,000
The use of altruistic surrogacy is more common in Europe, accounting for over 70% of cases in countries where it is legal

Geographic Trends and Regional Regulations Interpretation

Urban surrogacy costs climbing to around $130,000 in New York City highlight the financial barrier of parenthood in city landscapes, while Europe's altruistic surrogacy predominance—over 70%—underscores a continent where compassion often outweighs capital in the journey to parenthood.

Legal and Regulatory Landscape

India was once a popular surrogacy destination, hosting about 3,000 surrogacy arrangements annually before new regulations in 2015
In some countries, commercial surrogacy is banned, notably in Germany, France, and Italy
The first successful surrogacy case was recorded in 1985 in the United States
Canada permits altruistic surrogacy but bans commercial surrogacy, legal since 2004
In Australia, commercial surrogacy is prohibited, but altruistic surrogacy is allowed in certain states
The first federal law regulating surrogacy in the US, the Surrogate Pregnancy Act, was proposed but not enacted in 1990
The average legal process for surrogacy in the US takes approximately 12-18 months
India’s surrogacy industry declined by approximately 80% after regulations were introduced in 2015
In the US, commercial surrogacy requires thorough legal contracts in over 95% of cases
The number of countries that legally permit commercial surrogacy is approximately 20, with many restricting or banning it altogether
The cost of legal and psychological support during surrogacy arrangements can add approximately $10,000–$20,000 to total costs
Surrogacy is legally recognized in approximately 60 countries, whereas in about 65 countries it remains illegal or unregulated
Surrogacy clinics in Thailand ceased operations in 2015 due to legal and ethical concerns, leading to a near cessation of surrogacy travel to Thailand
The primary legal challenges in surrogacy include parental rights and citizenship issues, affecting about 50% of international arrangements
In Japan, commercial surrogacy is banned, but altruistic surrogacy is allowed under strict regulation, with only a few cases annually

Legal and Regulatory Landscape Interpretation

While surrogacy once made India the global hub, with thousands of arrangements annually, a shift in regulations has dwindled its industry by 80%, highlighting how legal frameworks can both define and diminish a country's role in reproductive tourism amidst a complex web of international laws and ethical concerns.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global surrogacy market was valued at approximately $5.5 billion in 2021
The United States accounts for over 20% of the global surrogacy market
Approximately 2,000 to 4,000 babies are born annually through surrogacy in the USA
Surrogacy costs in the US can range from $100,000 to $150,000, including medical and legal fees
Approximately 65% of intended parents seeking surrogacy are heterosexual couples
The total number of surrogate pregnancies worldwide is estimated to be around 10,000 annually
There are over 700 fertility clinics globally offering surrogacy services
In 2020, approximately 7% of ART cycles in the USA involved surrogacy arrangements
Surrogacy arrangements have increased globally by over 20% in the past decade
Israel has a subsidized surrogacy program for heterosexual Israeli couples, with over 400 babies born via surrogacy each year
In Ukraine, surrogacy is legal and widely used, with an estimated 350-400 surrogacy babies born annually
Only about 1% of surrogacy arrangements worldwide are non-disclosed or anonymous, indicating a trend toward transparency
The average duration from intended parent’s decision to birth is approximately 15-24 months
The use of gestational surrogates (where the surrogate has no genetic relation) accounts for about 85% of all surrogacy arrangements
The global fertility industry, including surrogacy, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% through 2030
The total number of surrogacy agreements signed annually in the US is estimated to be around 500-600
Surrogacy is often more accessible to those with higher socioeconomic status, with studies showing that the average income of intended parents is significantly higher than the national median
Surrogacy has helped over 10,000 families worldwide to have children since the 1980s, according to various industry reports
The percentage of intended parents choosing surrogacy for genetic connection is around 50%, with others opting for non-genetic options

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With a surrogacy market worth over $5.5 billion and the US capturing more than a fifth of it, the industry’s rapid 20% global growth, predominantly serving wealthier heterosexual couples through transparent arrangements and gestational surrogacy, underscores both its expanding reach and persistent socioeconomic disparities in family-building options.

Success Rates and Medical Outcomes

The success rate of IVF with surrogate carriers is approximately 70-80%
Surrogacy success rates are higher when using fresh embryos compared to frozen, with difference about 10-15%
The first in-vitro fertilization (IVF) baby born via surrogacy was Louise Brown in 1978
The median number of embryos transferred in surrogacy cycles is typically 2, to balance success and reduce risks of multiples
The IVF success rate in women aged 30-34 is approximately 40-50%, which impacts surrogacy planning

Success Rates and Medical Outcomes Interpretation

While surrogacy boasts a promising 70-80% success rate, leveraging fresh embryos and optimal age windows—much like a finely tuned recipe—can significantly tip the scales toward success, reminding us that science continues to bridge hope with precision.

Surrogate Profiles and Motivations

The average age of surrogates in the US is about 28 years
Around 80% of surrogates in the US are motivated by financial reasons, according to surveys
Approximately 30% of US surrogates are recruited through social media platforms, according to industry reports
The average age of surrogates in the UK is around 30 years old
In the US, about 40% of surrogates are motivated primarily by the desire to help others, rather than financial gain

Surrogate Profiles and Motivations Interpretation

While most surrogates in the US and UK are in their late twenties to early thirties and driven by a mix of altruism and financial necessity—especially as social media becomes a key recruitment tool—the statistics reveal that for many, the journey is as much about bridging hope as balancing wallets.