Understanding IVF success rates
What do IVF success rates actually mean?
Success rates can be useful when learning about IVF, but a single percentage rarely tells the whole story. The outcome of treatment can depend on age, individual fertility factors, the treatment being undertaken and how a clinic defines and reports “success”.
Start with the right question
Not all success rates measure the same thing
When you see an IVF success rate, it is important to understand what is being measured. A figure may refer to a positive pregnancy test, a clinical pregnancy or a live birth, and it may be calculated per treatment cycle, egg retrieval or embryo transfer.
This is one reason percentages from different sources should not automatically be compared as though they measure exactly the same outcome.
We do not currently publish a single headline IVF(SG) success-rate percentage. A single figure without the appropriate patient, age and treatment context may give an incomplete picture of what an individual can expect.
During your consultation, Dr Yeong can discuss the factors that are relevant to your own treatment circumstances.
How success can be reported
Before comparing percentages, check what the number represents
01
Pregnancy rate
A pregnancy-based measure may refer to a positive pregnancy test or to a pregnancy confirmed clinically. Check the definition used alongside the statistic.
02
Live birth rate
This measures treatment outcomes based on live births. It is different from a positive pregnancy test and should not be treated as the same measure.
03
What is the denominator?
Ask whether the percentage is reported per cycle started, egg retrieval, embryo transfer or another treatment stage. The denominator can materially change the percentage shown.
Singapore data
Age is an important factor in ART outcomes
Ministry of Health data published in January 2024 reported the following average Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) success rates by age group across Singapore public and private centres for 2017 to 2021.
Source: Singapore Ministry of Health, published 10 January 2024. These are national ART averages for 2017–2021 and are not IVF(SG)-specific results. View MOH source.
Your individual circumstances
What can influence IVF outcomes?
Age is important, but it is not the only factor considered when planning treatment. Your specialist looks at the wider clinical picture rather than relying on one statistic.
Age and ovarian response
Age and how the ovaries respond to stimulation can influence the number of eggs available for treatment and the overall treatment pathway.
Egg and sperm factors
Factors relating to both eggs and sperm can influence fertilisation and embryo development.
Embryo development
Not every fertilised egg develops in the same way. Embryo development is monitored in the laboratory before decisions are made about transfer or freezing.
Your medical and fertility history
Previous treatment, test results and relevant medical factors can all form part of the clinical assessment and treatment plan.
Comparing IVF information
Questions worth asking about a success-rate figure
If you are looking at IVF statistics online or comparing information from different centres, these questions can help you understand what the number actually tells you.
Common questions
Understanding the numbers
Can a clinic's success rate tell me my own chance of success?
Not by itself. Clinic-level statistics describe outcomes across groups of patients. Your individual circumstances may differ from the population represented by the published figure.
Is a higher percentage always better?
Percentages should only be compared when you understand what outcome is being measured, how it is calculated, the patient group represented and the period covered by the data.
Why does age matter?
ART outcomes vary by age. Singapore Ministry of Health data also shows different average ART success rates across age groups. Age is therefore one of the factors your specialist considers when discussing treatment.
Does IVF(SG) publish its own success rate?
IVF(SG) does not currently publish a single headline clinic success-rate percentage. During a consultation, the clinical team can discuss the factors relevant to your individual circumstances and proposed treatment pathway.
Looking beyond a percentage
Your treatment plan is individual
Success-rate information can provide useful context, but it cannot predict an individual treatment outcome. A consultation allows your fertility history, test results and treatment options to be considered together.
The information on this page is general educational information and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee of treatment outcome. Individual outcomes vary.
