Medically Assisted Reproduction and Fertility in the Latin American Context: The Case of Brazil (2010-2023)

andrea simao, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
Paula Miranda-Ribeiro, Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
Laura L. R. R. Wong, Cedeplar/Ufmg

In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo urged countries to guarantee sexual and reproductive health rights. Thirty years later, the achievement of desired fertility demands not only contraception but also assisted reproduction. Based on Brazilian vital statistics (2010-2023), this paper points to increased live births delivered using medical-assisted reproduction (MAR) and, more specifically, assisted reproduction treatments (ART). This fact is associated with (a) the low or very low fertility levels in Latin America together with a delayed fertility pattern; (b) the surge of negative discrepant fertility, in which couples have fewer children than desired; and (c) the increase in available assisted reproductive treatment and success rates in Latin America and around the world. Since no broad public policies focus on discrepant fertility and infertility in Brazil, MAR babies are predominantly delivered by the most privileged social groups (white, most educated, and living in the wealthiest areas), so reproductive rights are unequally accessed.

Keywords: Fertility, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

See extended abstract.