Will we be infertile by 2045?

Asked by: Kenton Sawayn  |  Last update: October 16, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (44 votes)

According to Swan, if the current global sperm count trend continues, it will reach zero by 2045. That means the median male would effectively have zero viable sperm since sperm count is related to overall semen quality.

What will be the sperm count in 2045?

The hormone-altering chemicals threatening human procreation. Sperm counts are set to reach zero in 2045, leading scholar Shanna Swan says. There's a looming solution to all of humanity's problems — by 2045 most men may no longer be able to reproduce because of the impact of hormone-altering chemicals.

What is the infertility rate in 2050?

By 2050, over three-quarters (155 of 204) of countries will not have high enough fertility rates to sustain population size over time; this will increase to 97% of countries (198 of 204) by 2100.

Will men be infertile in 2040?

In North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, both figures seemed to be falling at a rate of around 1.5 per cent per year on average, resulting in a 50 to 60 per cent drop over the whole period. If the decline continued at this rate, the median sperm count would reach zero by the mid-2040s.

Are we becoming more infertile?

And, after two years, 10 percent of couples had still not achieved a successful pregnancy. That's dramatically different than it was 20 or 30 years ago. What's more, infertility is expected to increase in the future. By 2025, almost 10 million couples will encounter problems in having a baby.

Fertility crisis: Is modern life making men infertile? - BBC REEL

30 related questions found

Is humanity becoming less fertile?

Total fertility rates are falling dramatically all over the world such that highly industrialized nations, including China and the tiger economies of SE Asia, will see their populations decline significantly in the coming decades.

Why is infertility so common today?

One of the most common reasons for infertility today is delaying becoming parents. Many couples are choosing to have children later in life due to career goals, financial reasons, or personal preferences. However, age plays a huge role in fertility, especially for women.

Will most men be infertile by 2060?

All others can breathe easy. The study published in the Human Reproduction Update found that the average sperm count declined by 59.3 percent in the last 40 years for men in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. At that rate, guys in those locations will have little or no reproductive capacity after 2060.

Is plastic causing infertility?

Plastic chemicals are linked to infertility and erectile dysfunction. PVC is considered one of the most toxic types of plastics because it contains dangerous ingredients plus harmful additive chemicals, including phthalates, which are known to interfere with normal hormone functions in the human body.

Why is sperm count declining?

Scientists suspect a combination of factors may be contributing to the global decline in sperm count: Lifestyle choices. Obesity, poor diet, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, marijuana use, cocaine use, anabolic steroid use and lack of exercise are all linked to lower sperm counts. Environmental toxins.

Why is fertility declining?

There are several factors such as lifestyle factors, an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, rise in obesity and environmental factors involved in urbanisation and urban lifestyle that are affecting fertility and have led to rise in male and female subfertility.

Can infertility be cured?

In 85% to 90% of cases, infertility is treated with conventional medical therapies, such as medication or surgery. If fertility treatments are unsuccessful, it is possible to use eggs or sperm donated by a third party or to have another woman carry a fetus. Select a category of treatment to learn more.

Who is most likely to get infertility?

Risk factors for infertility include:
  • Age, particularly being in your late 30s or 40s. ...
  • Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Exposure to environmental toxins, such as chemicals, lead and pesticides.
  • Over-exercising.
  • Radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

What's the longest sperm can live in you?

The life span of sperm after ejaculation depends on the circumstances. Ejaculated sperm remain viable for several days within the female reproductive tract. Fertilization is possible as long as the sperm remain alive — up to five days.

What is the average male taint size?

The average perineum is about 1.5 inches (in) long if you're AFAB (cisgender women, transgender men and nonbinary people with vaginas). It's about 2 inches or more if you're assigned male at birth, or AMAB (cisgender men, transgender women and nonbinary people with penises).

Can you get pregnant with 200000 sperm count?

A clinical pregnancy rate of 6.1% (8/131 insemination), 13.8% (15/470 inseminations), and 19% (101/520 inseminations) was achieved in the group of patients which were inseminated with <100,000, 100,000 - 199,000, and 200,000 - 369,000 total motile sperm count respectively.

Can hard water cause infertility?

[1] Among them a good percentage consumes hard water, which is considered to be a significant etiological factor around the globe causing many diseases such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes, reproductive failure, neural diseases, and renal dysfunction and so on.

Does fertility reduce after 30?

A woman in her early to mid-20s has a 25–30% chance of getting pregnant every month. Fertility generally starts to slowly decline when a woman is in her early 30s, and after the age of 35 the decline speeds up. By age 40, the chance of getting pregnant in any monthly cycle is around 5%.

Does drinking cold water affect fertility?

Ice-cold water drink for the long run, reduced sperm count and sperm progressive motility; increased the percentage of non-motile sperm; changed normal morphology of sperm and destroyed Sertoli and Leydig cells. In conclusion, long-term ice-cold water drinking ought to be noxious for testis function and structure.

Will sperm count be zero in 2045?

According to Swan, if the current global sperm count trend continues, it will reach zero by 2045. That means the median male would effectively have zero viable sperm since sperm count is related to overall semen quality.

Do men run out of sperm?

No. Because the male body is constantly making new sperm cells, they won't run out. Even if they ejaculate once or several times per day, the semen will usually always contain sperm cells. Depending on the individual's genetics and age, their sperm production cycle and sperm cell quality will vary.

How many sperm are in one drop?

A typical sperm count may range from 15 million to more than 200 million per milliliter of semen (about 0.2 teaspoons). A low sperm count (oligospermia) is less than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen.

Can a girl get pregnant if sperm is on the outside?

Having sex without penetration

Pregnancy can happen if sperm comes into contact with your vagina if, for example: you partner ejaculates very close to your vagina. your partner's erect penis comes into contact with your vagina or vulva (genital area)

How to conceive a baby boy 100%?

We now know that there's nothing you can do in the bedroom to influence whether you have a baby boy or a baby girl. Though there's a slightly greater chance you'll have a baby boy (due to the ratio of male to female births), sex positions, timing sex, and your vaginal pH have no bearing.

Can abortion cause infertility?

Most often, elective abortions don't cause fertility issues or problems with future pregnancies.