Czech Republic sees record share of births from assisted reproduction amid falling total births

In 2025 the Czech Republic recorded a historic low of 75,761 births, a drop of about 8 % from the previous year. At the same time, the share of children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies rose to 6.6 % of all births, the highest proportion since reliable statistics began. The increase reflects a 40 % rise in the absolute number of lab‑born children over the past decade, driven mainly by IVF and related methods.

Separate research on Czech families shows that children of mothers aged 35–39 now score highest on cognitive tests, a shift from earlier generations where the optimum maternal age was 25–29. The study attributes the improvement to higher education, income and healthier lifestyles among older mothers rather than maternal age itself, highlighting the broader social context of the country’s demographic challenges.