Surrogacy is often described through personal stories—joyful births, compassionate surrogates, and families finally completed. Yet behind every story there is also data. Statistics help intended parents understand how common surrogacy is, how success rates compare across countries, and what trends are shaping the global landscape. By looking at the numbers, we can place individual journeys in a broader context, making informed decisions based on evidence, not just emotion.
This article explores key statistics on surrogacy worldwide, including usage rates, success rates, costs, demographics, and emerging trends.
How Common Is Surrogacy Worldwide?
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that over 3,000 babies are born each year through gestational surrogacy. That represents a steady increase since the early 2000s, when only a few hundred surrogacy births were recorded annually.
In the United Kingdom, official data from the Parental Order Register show around 400–500 applications for parental orders each year (the legal step after surrogacy).
Ukraine and Georgia have become international hubs, with hundreds of foreign intended parents enrolling annually before 2022. Ukraine alone accounted for thousands of international surrogacy births per year before temporary disruptions due to the war.
Globally, industry estimates suggest over 20,000 surrogacy births annually, though accurate tracking is difficult due to differing laws and reporting standards.
What Are Surrogacy Success Rates?
Success depends on IVF and embryo transfer outcomes:
Average IVF live birth rates per embryo transfer are around 40–50% for women under 35, decreasing with age.
With donor eggs, success rates are often higher: 50–60% per transfer.
Many programs include multiple transfer attempts to improve chances.
U.S. and Canadian clinics report consistently high IVF success rates; Eastern European clinics (Ukraine, Georgia) also report competitive outcomes, though official statistics are less standardized.
Overall, the majority of intended parents achieve a successful pregnancy within 1–2 embryo transfer attempts when using a qualified clinic.
What Are the Demographics of Surrogates and Intended Parents?
Surrogates are typically women between 21 and 40 years old who have already experienced at least one healthy pregnancy. In the U.S., most surrogates are in their late 20s to mid-30s, married or partnered, and raising their own children.
Intended parents come from diverse backgrounds: heterosexual couples facing infertility, same-sex couples, and single individuals. International surrogacy hubs (Ukraine, Georgia, Mexico) report that many intended parents come from Europe, North America, and increasingly Asia.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost on Average?
United States: $140,000–$200,000
Canada: $75,000–$90,000
United Kingdom: £50,000+ (about $65,000)
Ukraine / Georgia: $50,000–$65,000
Mexico: $50,000–$80,000
Surrogate compensation is the largest factor in cost differences: in the U.S., base pay can reach $65,000–$75,000, while in Ukraine or Georgia it is closer to $18,000–$20,000.
What Are the Trends in Surrogacy Growth?
Rising demand: Increasing infertility rates, delayed parenthood, and more LGBTQ+ family formations drive growth worldwide.
Shifting destinations: As some countries restrict commercial surrogacy (India, Thailand, Cambodia), intended parents are turning to regulated destinations such as the U.S., Canada, Ukraine, Georgia, and Mexico.
Legal reforms: Countries like New York (USA) and Greece have recently updated laws to clarify parental rights and regulate surrogacy more transparently.
Cross-border complexity: International surrogacy often involves lengthy legal and citizenship processes, prompting calls for global regulation.
Numbers with Real Impact
Surrogacy is not only about statistics, but numbers reveal the scale and dynamics of this growing field. Thousands of children are born each year through surrogacy, with rising success rates thanks to advances in IVF. Costs differ dramatically depending on geography, and demand continues to expand. For intended parents, these numbers provide reassurance: surrogacy is not a rare or experimental option—it is a well-established, internationally practiced path to parenthood.