The Correlation Between Gross Domestic Product Per Capita and the Success Rate of Assisted Reproductive Technologies Worldwide

OBJECTIVE: Although there has been increased utilization of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in the world, there is no conclusive definition about the relationship between the success rate of ART and national wealth. METHODS: In this study, using the data from the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART), we sought to determine whether there is a correlation between the success rate of ART (represented by pregnancy and delivery rates) and national wealth represented by the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Moreover, to further understand the effect of GDP per capita on ART effectiveness, we analyzed the association between ART success rate and GDP per capita in 50 US states. RESULTS: Our data showed that the number of ART treatment cycles increased as the GDP per capita increased. However, we found a negative correlation between ART success rates and GDP per capita in ICMART countries, although no correlation was seen in the US states. Using rough estimation, we derived that the success rate of ART was not related to GDP per capita in the ICMART countries with a GDP per capita greater than USD 13,000. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, for the first time, we showed that when the GDP per capita of an economic territory reaches (or exceeds) USD 13,000, ART pregnancy and delivery rates were not associated with GDP per capita, and ART success rates remained stable.