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What are IVF success rates in the UK and how do they compare?

If you're considering IVF, it's completely natural to wonder what your chances of success might be. In fact, it's one of the first questions many patients ask us. 

While IVF success rates can be a helpful guide, they don't tell the whole story. Every person's fertility journey is different, and your likelihood of success depends on factors like your age, medical history and the treatment that's right for you. 

In this guide, we'll explain how IVF success rates in the UK are measured, what influences them, and how to interpret clinic success rates when choosing where to have treatment. 

IVF success rates UK: at a glance 

  • What affects IVF success rates? Age is one of the biggest factors, but embryo quality, sperm health, uterine health and medical history all play a part. 

  • Are all success rates measured in the same way? No. Some clinics report pregnancy rates, while others report live birth rates or births per embryo transfer. 

  • Should I compare clinics using success rates alone? Success rates are useful, but they should always be considered alongside the experience of the clinical team, personalised care and the types of patients a clinic treats. 

  • Can I improve my chances of IVF success? While no treatment can guarantee success, having the right investigations, treatment plan and ongoing support can make a real difference. 

How are IVF success rates in the UK measured? 

When you see an IVF success rate, it's worth checking exactly what it's measuring. Different clinics and organisations report different outcomes, including: 

  • Pregnancy rates 

  • Live birth rates 

  • Births per embryo transfer 

  • Cumulative live birth rates (using fresh and frozen embryos from one egg collection) 

These figures are all useful but they aren't directly comparable. 

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) publishes independently verified clinic success rates to help patients make informed decisions.  

The HFEA advises against choosing a clinic based on percentages alone, as patient age, fertility diagnoses and the complexity of cases treated can all influence results. 

How age affects IVF success rates in the UK 

One of the biggest influences on IVF success is age. This is because both the number and quality of eggs naturally decline over time, making it more difficult to create healthy embryos and achieve a successful pregnancy. 

That doesn't mean IVF isn't successful for older patients, but it does mean expectations and treatment plans often differ depending on age. 

Alongside age, we'll also consider factors such as: 

  • Ovarian reserve 

  • Sperm quality 

  • Embryo development 

  • Uterine health 

  • Previous fertility treatment 

  • Your overall medical history 

Looking at the whole picture allows us to recommend the treatment approach that's most appropriate for you. 

How do BCRM's IVF success rates compare? 

Every licensed fertility clinic in the UK reports its treatment outcomes to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), making it easier for patients to compare verified success rates. Our success rates consistently meet or exceed national averages across a range of treatments.  

The latest published HFEA data from 2023 shows that BCRM continues to achieve success rates above the national average. For patients under the age of 38, BCRM's fresh IVF/ICSI birth rate per embryo transferred is 36%, compared with the national average of 32%. 

Across all IVF treatment types, BCRM's birth rate per embryo transferred for patients under 38 is 39%, exceeding the national average of 34%.

BCRM 2026 success rates year to date 

We have been tracking our own success rates so far in 2026 and we are seeing outstanding numbers. Year to date, we have seen a 53.5% clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer. This means more than 1 in 2 of our patients achieve a pregnancy with each embryo transfer. That figure rises substantially when using embryos tested for chromosome abnormalities (PGT-A testing), reaching an impressive 65.6% success rate for euploid embryo transfers. 

What else affects IVF success? 

Although age is important, it's only one piece of the puzzle. 

Egg quality 

Healthy eggs are essential for creating healthy embryos. Tests such as AMH and antral follicle count help us understand your ovarian reserve and plan treatment, although they don't predict success on their own. 

Sperm quality 

Sperm health can affect fertilisation and embryo development. If needed, we'll recommend additional investigations or treatments to help optimise outcomes. 

Embryo quality 

Not every embryo develops in the same way. Our embryologists carefully monitor embryo development and assess embryo quality to identify those with the greatest potential for transfer. 

Uterine health 

A healthy uterine environment is an important part of successful implantation, so we'll assess this as part of your fertility investigations where appropriate. 

Your overall health 

Previous fertility treatment, underlying medical conditions and lifestyle factors can all influence your treatment plan and, ultimately, your chances of success. 

How to compare IVF success rates in the UK 

IVF success rates vary between clinics but it's important to understand why. 

Every fertility clinic treats a different mix of patients. Some clinics see a higher proportion of older patients or more complex fertility cases, while others may treat younger patient groups. 

That's why comparing percentages alone doesn't always give you the full picture. 

When comparing clinics, it's worth looking at: 

  • HFEA verified success rates 

  • The experience of the clinical and laboratory teams 

  • Whether treatment is personalised 

  • The range of fertility treatments available 

  • The level of support throughout your journey 

Our success rates at BCRM are consistently in line or exceed national averages as reported by the HFEA. We are proud to offer high quality care with the results that reflect the UK's rigorous fertility standards. 

Can you improve your chances of IVF success? 

While there's no way to guarantee success, there are steps that may help support your fertility before and during treatment. 

These include: 

  • Having a fertility assessment as early as possible 

  • Following your personalised treatment plan 

  • Maintaining a healthy weight where appropriate 

  • Taking recommended supplements if advised 

  • Managing any existing medical conditions 

  • Attending all monitoring appointments 

Small changes won't overcome every fertility challenge but they can help ensure you're in the best possible position when treatment begins. 

Why choose BCRM? 

Choosing a fertility clinic is about much more than statistics. 

At BCRM, we've been helping people build their families for more than 40 years. Our consultants, nurses and embryologists work closely together to create personalised treatment plans based on your individual circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. 

We combine advanced laboratory techniques with compassionate care, ensuring you feel informed, supported and confident throughout every stage of your treatment. 

If you're considering IVF and would like to understand what the statistics mean for you, we're here to help.  

Book a consultation with the team at BCRM and we'll talk you through your options, answer your questions and create a treatment plan tailored to your individual circumstances.