13 October 2026: no national government data shows that infertility rose in India after COVID-19. But studies do show that COVID can lower sperm quality for a few months.
Here is what the data says, and what couples can do next.
- No India-wide figure comparing infertility before and after COVID turned up in the official and published sources reviewed
- NFHS-6 (survey done in 2023–24) puts India’s total fertility rate at 2.0
- Studies show sperm quality can dip after COVID, and recovery takes months
- Estimates of infertility in India vary widely, because studies define it differently
- WHO says about 1 in 6 people worldwide experience infertility in their lifetime
What Does Official Government Data Say?
Official data shows India’s fertility rate is steady. It does not measure infertility.
- The Union Health Ministry released NFHS-6 on 29 May 2026
- The Press Information Bureau (PIB) reports India’s total fertility rate (TFR) “remains at 2.0”
- It also reports contraceptive use rising from 66.7% to 69.1%
- Media coverage of the release says TFR was unchanged from NFHS-5, at 1.6 in urban and 2.1 in rural areas
- TFR counts average births per woman. Contraceptive use counts family planning. Neither counts couples who cannot conceive
A steady birth rate does not prove infertility stayed the same. It also does not prove it rose.
Read the official release: Union Health Ministry Releases National Family Health Survey – 6 (PIB)
Is Infertility Itself Rising in India?
Studies disagree, and none compare the years before and after COVID.
- A 2026 review in Reproductive Health pooled 8 community studies covering 25,778 women (1997–2023). It found 5% primary infertility and 2% secondary infertility
- The authors say those estimates are not nationally representative, and results varied widely between studies
- A separate analysis of NFHS-5 (2019–21) found 18.7 cases of primary infertility per 1,000 married women, using a strict definition and women married five or more years
- The two numbers differ because the definitions and groups differ
- A 2024 PLOS ONE study of NFHS-5 data found that after the 2020 lockdown, married women in 13 states reported less recent sex and a higher desire for a birth within two years. It did not measure infertility
Can COVID Affect Fertility?
In men, COVID can temporarily lower sperm quality. Evidence for lasting infertility is not settled.
- A 2022 meta-analysis of 14 studies (1,174 men) found lower sperm motility, and lower concentration after infection. The authors could not say whether the changes are fully reversible
- A 2025 study in Scientific Reports followed 74 men before and after COVID. One month after infection, average sperm concentration fell to 39.22 million/mL and progressive motility to 36.41%
- Median recovery was estimated at about 5 months for concentration and about 3 months for motility. In that study, quality had not fully returned to baseline by six months
- Limits: small studies, mostly mild to moderate cases, and semen tests do not fully predict fertility
- This article covers semen findings because that is where the studies reviewed focused. A woman with fertility concerns should speak with a gynaecologist
Related Guide
What to Do: Practical Solutions
These steps are general guidance. A doctor will tailor them to your case.
1. Know when to see a doctor
- Consider seeing a fertility specialist after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex without pregnancy
- See a doctor after 6 months if the woman is 35 or older, or sooner if there is a known problem such as irregular cycles
2. Test both partners
- WHO’s new infertility guideline calls for better investigation of male infertility, which is often under-investigated
- A semen analysis is a simple first test
- If the man had COVID recently, a doctor may suggest repeating the test after a few months, since studies show recovery takes time
3. Fix the risk factors
- WHO advises addressing risk factors such as untreated sexually transmitted infections and smoking
- Depending on the cause, doctors may suggest lifestyle changes, medicines, or surgery before assisted treatment
4. Understand the treatment options
- IUI: prepared sperm is placed in the uterus
- IVF: eggs are fertilised in a lab, and the embryo is transferred
- ICSI: a single sperm is injected into an egg, often used when sperm quality is a concern
- The right option depends on the cause, age, and test results
5. Don't self-diagnose from headlines
- No national data shows a post-COVID infertility wave
- A proper evaluation tells you more than any trend
How ConsultGrab Helps You
Trying to conceive can feel stressful, especially when headlines add worry. ConsultGrab supports patients with:
- Understanding your case in detail
- Connecting you with relevant fertility specialists
- Explaining treatment options clearly
- Support throughout the process, so you never feel alone
Related Guide
Quick Answers
No national data reviewed shows that. Studies are limited, and none compare the years before and after COVID.
It can lower sperm concentration and movement for a few months in some men, according to published studies. Recovery varies.
One 2025 study estimated about 3 months for motility and about 5 months for concentration, on average.
PIB reports it at 2.0. This counts births, not infertility.
After 12 months of trying, or 6 months if the woman is 35 or older.
Sources
Government: PIB: Union Health Ministry Releases National Family Health Survey – 6 (29 May 2026)
Research: Primary and secondary infertility in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Reproductive Health (2026) · Infertility Burden Across Indian States, Journal of Reproduction & Infertility (2023) · COVID-19 and fertility behaviour in Indian states, PLOS ONE (2024) · Effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on sperm parameters: meta-analysis (2022)
Media Coverage: Deccan Chronicle: NFHS-6 fertility rate · EMJ: Sperm quality recovery after COVID-19 · EWN/AFP: WHO global infertility guidelines
The content has been independently written and simplified for educational purposes.
