The term “Demographic Winter” refers to the progressive decline in birth rates and the ageing of the population. As a result, fewer children are being born while the number of older people is increasing, representing a major social, economic, and healthcare challenge.
Spain is one of the European countries with the lowest birth rate. Although this phenomenon is due to multiple factors, the delay in the age of motherhood, and difficulties achieving pregnancy also play a key role.
Delayed motherhood and its impact on fertility
In recent decades, the age at which women have their first child has progressively increased. According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), in 2024 the average age at first childbirth was 32.6 years, a figure that has remained stable since 2021.
However, female fertility naturally declines with age, especially from the age of thirty-five, due to a reduction in both the quantity and quality of eggs. As a result, the chances of achieving pregnancy decrease and, in some cases, assisted reproduction treatments may be needed.
How can assisted reproduction help?
Assisted reproduction offers different alternatives to support people who wish to have children when there are difficulties achieving pregnancy or when they decide to postpone their reproductive plans.
Fertility preservation
Egg vitrification makes it possible to preserve eggs at the time of greatest reproductive potential. In this way, women who decide to postpone motherhood for personal, professional, or medical reasons can preserve their fertility for the future.
Although each case must be assessed individually, fertility preservation usually offers better results when performed before the age of thirty-five.
Egg donation
When egg quality or ovarian reserve do not allow pregnancy with one’s own eggs, egg donation is one of the alternatives with the highest success rates.
Thanks to this treatment, many women can achieve pregnancy when other options are no longer viable.
In vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilisation (IVF), together with techniques such as ICSI or IMSI when indicated, allows different causes of infertility to be treated, both female and male.
In cases of male factor infertility, these techniques facilitate the selection of sperm with better characteristics to support fertilisation and increase the chances of obtaining embryos with good developmental potential.
New family models
Assisted reproduction has also expanded access to motherhood. Today, these treatments make it possible to support single women, female couples and trans people who wish to build a family, adapting to an increasingly diverse social reality.
Support in response to a social reality
Demographic winter is a complex phenomenon that cannot be explained by a single cause or solved solely through reproductive medicine. However, advances in assisted reproduction allow more people to conduct their reproductive project when there are difficulties achieving pregnancy or when personal circumstances make it necessary to postpone motherhood.
Frequently asked questions
Can assisted reproduction solve the problem of demographic winter?
No. Demographic winter is a complex phenomenon influenced by economic, social, work-related, and cultural factors, as well as delayed motherhood. Assisted reproduction does not solve this challenge on its own, but it does allow many people to fulfil their desire to have children when there are difficulties achieving pregnancy.
Does fertility preservation guarantee pregnancy in the future?
No. Egg vitrification increases the chances of achieving pregnancy in the future using eggs obtained at a younger age, but it is not a guarantee of success. The chances will depend, among other factors, on the age at which preservation was performed, the number of vitrified eggs and each woman’s characteristics.
At what age is it advisable to consult a fertility specialist?
It is recommended to consult a specialist when pregnancy has not been achieved after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without contraception if the woman is under thirty-five, or after 6 months if she is thirty-five or older. In addition, for women who expect to postpone motherhood or have factors that may affect their fertility, an early assessment can help plan reproductive options with more information.
