01 Growing Adoption of Structured Gestational Surrogacy Programs Gestational surrogacy is becoming a more structured form of assisted reproduction as fertility centers combine IVF, embryo cryopreservation, medical screening, counseling, legal coordination, and gestational-carrier management within specialized programs. Unlike traditional surrogacy, the gestational carrier has no genetic relationship with the child because the pregnancy is established using an embryo created through IVF. Greater clinical standardization is helping intended parents and carriers navigate increasingly complex medical and legal requirements. In January 2026, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) released a U.S. policy report on gestational carrier pregnancies. The report noted that gestational carriers account for approximately 1.5% of assisted reproductive technology cycles and outlined considerations covering medical screening, informed consent, independent legal representation, insurance, and protection of gestational carriers and intended parents. Greater standardization of clinical and legal procedures is becoming one of the important surrogacy market trends, supporting more professionally managed gestational-carrier programs.
02 Increasing Digitalization of Surrogacy and ART Regulation Governments are increasingly digitalizing the registration and monitoring of fertility clinics, ART centers, and surrogacy services. Online regulatory platforms can simplify licensing, document submission, inspection tracking, compliance monitoring, and communication between clinics and authorities. Greater digital oversight can also improve transparency and make it easier for regulators to identify non-compliant providers. In April 2026, the Telangana government introduced a unified online regulatory portal covering surrogacy, ART/IVF, and PCPNDT services. The system enables digital document submission, licensing, inspection management, application tracking, violation notices, and regulatory compliance monitoring. The increasing use of digital regulatory infrastructure is encouraging greater transparency and accountability across the surrogacy industry.
01 Rising Need for Infertility Treatment and Advanced Reproductive Care Infertility remains an important reproductive-health issue, with approximately one in six people of reproductive age worldwide experiencing infertility during their lifetime. Medical conditions that prevent pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, absence or abnormalities of the uterus, and other reproductive factors can make gestational surrogacy an option for some patients. Growing awareness and availability of IVF, embryo freezing, donor services, and fertility treatment are therefore supporting surrogacy market growth where the practice is legally permitted.Greater recognition of infertility and expansion of evidence-based fertility services can strengthen surrogacy market demand among medically eligible patients who cannot safely carry a pregnancy.
01 Strict Eligibility Requirements and Surrogacy Regulations Surrogacy laws differ considerably between jurisdictions and can impose restrictions based on age, marital status, nationality, medical eligibility, compensation, or the relationship between intended parents and the surrogate. Even when IVF technology and qualified gestational carriers are available, legal restrictions can prevent intended parents from accessing treatment. These requirements can reduce the eligible patient population and restrict the surrogacy market size.Strict eligibility rules can consequently limit access and increase the legal and administrative complexity associated with surrogacy arrangements.
01 Strengthening Quality and Safety Standards Across Fertility Services Growing attention to clinical quality, informed consent, donor management, patient privacy, laboratory standards, and medical safeguards is creating opportunities for professionally managed fertility and surrogacy services. Stronger standards can improve patient confidence while encouraging clinics to invest in qualified professionals, laboratory infrastructure, documentation, counseling, and transparent treatment processes.Providers capable of meeting stronger medical and ethical standards could strengthen their surrogacy market share as patients increasingly prioritize transparent, clinically supervised, and compliant reproductive services.
01 Cross-Border Legal Differences and Restrictions on Intended Parents Cross-border surrogacy remains difficult because laws governing gestational-carrier arrangements differ substantially between jurisdictions. Intended parents may face restrictions involving nationality, citizenship, residency, parentage recognition, contracts, immigration documentation, and the legal status of children born through surrogacy. Managing differences in surrogacy laws while establishing clear parental rights and protecting gestational carriers and children will remain a significant challenge for the surrogacy industry, particularly for cross-border arrangements.
In May 2026, Indira IVF acquired a stake in Abha Surgy Healthcare, a fertility clinic operator in Eastern India. The strategic partnership combines Abha Surgy’s regional expertise with Indira IVF’s clinical infrastructure and reproductive technologies, strengthening access to assisted reproductive and fertility services.
In 2026, Western Australia progressed the implementation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Act 2025, establishing a modernized framework for assisted reproduction and surrogacy. The legislation is designed to improve access to family-building options while strengthening regulatory safeguards for people involved in surrogacy arrangements.
In October 2025, Jersey introduced updated official guidance for people entering surrogacy arrangements following amendments to its children and civil-status legislation. The framework provides greater clarity around parenthood, registration, legal responsibilities, and protections associated with surrogacy.
In September 2025, Slovakia approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting surrogacy agreements. The regulatory development illustrates the increasingly fragmented global surrogacy landscape, with countries adopting significantly different approaches to assisted reproduction and gestational-carrier arrangements.
In June 2025, IVI RMA Global moved to acquire ART Fertility Clinics in a transaction reportedly valued at approximately USD 400–450 million. The deal was aimed at expanding IVI RMA’s international fertility-care network and establishing a stronger presence in India, supporting broader access to advanced IVF and assisted reproductive technologies.