The surrogacy tourism market is estimated at US$ 258.8 million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 468.9 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2023 to 2033. Total sales of surrogacy tourism represent 2-3% of the market.
Gestational surrogacy dominated the tourism market by type and is expected to continue this trend throughout the forecast period, owing to surrogacy professionals’ high adoption of gestational techniques and technological advancements.
Major Indicators Creating a Buzz about Surrogacy Tourism
Expensive fertility treatment, unsuccessful infertility treatment, ban of surrogacy practice in many countries, an increase in the number of single parents as well as homosexual couples, and women becoming health conscious are some of the prominent drivers that are boosting the demand for surrogacy tourism all over the globe.
- Tourism, medical, and reproductive technology improvements are critical to the expansion of surrogacy tourism. Outside of the United States, there are numerous qualified and knowledgeable doctors who undertake third-party reproduction in nations such as India, Mexico, and El Salvador.
- In many places, surrogates rent their womb with the motivation to get financial rewards, and some have even started opting for it as their career.
- Surrogacy tourism is witnessing the trend of tie-ups in hospitality’s different regions, where hospitals in the banned surrogacy country refer tie-up hospitals to the patients.
- Another market trend is clinics and doctors assisting service receivers in finding a surrogate. Many medical tourism agencies are emerging that support surrogates throughout the process; they have tied up with several clinics and doctors.
The Challenges and Constraints Confronting the Global Market
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Less Awareness
The challenges that hinder surrogacy tourism to an extent are less awareness or unclear information about the surrogacy concept and the entire surrogacy tourism exercise.
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Proclaimed an Illegal Act
Moreover, in many regions, surrogacy is an illegal act and banned – countries including Thailand, India, and many others.
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Concerns about Reliability
The mindset of many couples to have their baby and reliability issues are the other factor that has hampered surrogacy tourism. Other challenges, such as adoption, treatment, and financial, administrative, or practical issues of the service receiver, hinder surrogacy tourism.
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A Taboo
Many developing regions such as Asia, the Middle East, and Africa consider single parents and homosexual marriage a taboo; hence due to society’s bondage and hesitation, many do not go for practicing surrogacy.
What makes surrogacy such a life-changing experience for all individuals involved?
This process requires great patience, medical and legal knowledge, and a robust support system.
Surrogates have the opportunity to help needy families while also being compensated for their efforts. Ultimately, everyone benefits the intended parents, the surrogate, and any other related person or entity.
Many economic destinations offer surrogacy at a low cost while still providing access to the world’s best medical facilities and ART quality. Surrogacy services are available at a meager cost in Kenya, a country that has recently emerged as a favorable hub for fertility tourism.
Global Surrogacy Tourism Market Outlook
Technological improvements in aided surrogate technologies, increased awareness regarding infertility treatment, and the development of several fertility clinics drive the growth of the surrogacy tourism market during the forecast period. However, high costs related to the procedure and stringent regulations about surrogacy in several countries restrict the opportunities for surrogacy tourism.
Various factors that lead to infertility include the problem with sperm or egg production, age, genetic factors, and unnecessary exposure to some chemicals and contaminants. Alcohol consumption, steroid use, surgical removal of one of the testicles due to cancer, and diabetes can also result in low sperm count, thereby leading to infertility problems in men, boosting the demand for surrogacy and demand for surrogacy tourism on the whole.
Hormonal disorders, benign uterine growths, abnormal anatomy of the cervix or uterus, blocked fallopian tubes, stress, chemotherapy, kidney, or sickle cell disease can all cause infertility in women, resulting in an increasing trend in demand for surrogacy and demand for surrogacy tourism in general.
The rise in several fertility clinics, along with growth in awareness about fertility treatments such as sperm/egg donation and in-vitro fertilization, escalates the adoption of fertility treatments, thereby propelling the surrogacy tourism market growth.
Moreover, the rise in the prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome in women leads to difficulty conceiving a child, resulting in escalated demand for surrogate mothers, thereby expanding surrogacy tourism. However, stringent regulations about commercial methods and the high cost involved in the procedure hamper the global market growth.
Category-wise Insights
What Type of Surrogacy is Preferred in Various Countries?
Technological advancements have played an important role in the market.
The traditional segment of the global market was worth more than US$ 220 million. Traditional surrogacy involves fewer medical procedures and is less expensive than other ART treatments. Traditional surrogacy, on the other hand, carries a higher emotional and legal risk than gestational surrogacy.
Moreover, surrogacy professionals’ high adoption of gestational techniques and technological advancements are expected to drive segment growth and surge the surrogacy tourism market. Furthermore, the emotional and legal complexity associated with traditional surrogacy further propels the adoption of gestational surrogacy and the adoption of surrogacy tourism on the whole.
Which Type of Technology is used for the Process of Surrogacy?
IVF (with ICSI) is considered the safest and best method used for surrogacy.
By technology, the IVF (with ICSI) segment accounted for a maximum share of the global market. This segment is expected to exhibit a prominent growth rate, attributed to the fact that it has revolutionized male infertility treatment, as it requires a smaller number of sperm that are penetrated eggs with the help of an injection technique.
Which age of women is preferred for surrogacy?
Women aged between 26 – 35 are usually preferred for surrogacy.
The surrogacy process is quite delicate and complex, so the entire process should be carried out with utmost care. It includes the person going through it, i.e., women. As the age grows, the risk factors also increase, which can lead to unwanted consequences like causing harm to both the woman and the fetus inside.
Hence, the age factor is one of the essential elements to be taken care of during the surrogacy process, influencing the surrogacy tourism market’s key trends and opportunities.
Which is the Higher Contributor for the Service Provider Segment in the Global Market?
The presence of sophisticated facilities and equipment for advanced infertility treatments in hospitals drives segment growth.
The hospital segment of the market was worth more than US$ 1 billion in 2020, owing to an increase in the number of hospitals offering surrogacy treatment and the availability of advanced facilities.
Furthermore, rising healthcare investment and the availability of advanced equipment in hospitals drive the global market. As a result, a positive outcome and the presence of qualified clinical staff for surrogacy treatment in the hospital drive the market.
Region-wise Insights
What is the demand outlook for the market in North America?
North America is Expected to Dominate the Global Surrogacy Market
North America is expected to dominate the market due to increased gestational surrogacy, increasing fertility centers, and technological advancements in this region.
For instance, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), gestational carrier cycles resulted in more than 75% of infants born. The market share held by the North American market is 26%.
In North American countries, surrogacy is expensive, ranging from around US$ 120,000 to US$ 200,000, especially in the United States.
What are the various regulatory laws in European countries?
Europe has a higher share in the global market of approximately 40%.
Surrogacy is recognized under section 30 of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act 2008; In May 2016, a ruling by the Family Division of the High Court of Justice for England and Wales determined that single people can apply to be recognized as the legal parents of a child following a surrogacy arrangement.
In December 2018, allow applications from individuals subject to conditions, including genetic relation to the child. Singles, as well as homosexuals seeking parenthood, may use it as well, provided that they are United Kingdom residents. The 1985 Surrogacy Arrangements Act prohibits surrogacy-related commercial arrangements.
Apart from the United Kingdom, other major European countries like France, Germany, Spain, and Italy have banned the concept of surrogacy and don’t encourage it, hampering market opportunities.
What is the Global Market Outlook for the Asia Pacific Region?
Due to the low cost of surrogacy treatment and the significant rise in reproductive tourism, the Asia Pacific market captured more than 28% of the revenue share. Furthermore, healthcare facilities for providing fertility treatments are expanding in developing countries.
Thus, low treatment costs, top medical professionals’ availability, and favorable surrogacy treatment regulations are influencing regional market growth along with key trends and opportunities.
Competitive Landscape
The competitive landscape of the market has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players like IV Marbella (Spain), Istanbul Fertility and Women’s Health Center (Turkey), Intersono IVF Clinic (Ukraine), Embryolab (Greece), GEST (Praga Medica) (Czech Republic), Smart Choice Medical Travel (Hungary), Ava-Peter Clinic (Russia), Nadezhda Fertility Clinic (Bulgaria) and Medicover Fertility (India) among many others.
Recent Developments in the Global Market are:
In 2021, Triangle Capital Corporation announced its acquisition of Bourn Hall Ltd., a British fertility clinic—the purchase to help the company enhance its reach to its customers and offer business expansion opportunities.
