Research has shown that the fertility of the average man has fallen sharply over recent decades, with the average number and quality of sperm in men declining dramatically. So, should we be worried about this dramatic drop in male fertility?
A landmark study conducted in France looked at the reproductive health of 26,600 men. The research documented a “significant and continuous” 32.2 per cent reduction in sperm concentration over a 17-year period. Between 1989 and 2005, numbers of sperm per millilitre of semen fell at about two per cent a year. The study suggested that the average 35-year-old man would see his sperm count drop from around 73.6 million per millilitre of semen to 49.9 million.
More recent research has confirmed this concerning trend continues today, with a 2023 systematic review showing global sperm counts have continued to decline at an accelerating rate.
Will This Drop in Male Fertility Affect the Time It Takes to Conceive?
Probably. Dr Joelle Le Moal, one of the doctors on the original study, stated: “The 2005 values are lower than the 55 million per millilitre threshold, below which sperm concentration is expected to influence the time it takes to conceive.” Current research suggests this decline has continued, potentially making conception more challenging for many couples.
What Is Causing This Decline in Male Fertility?
Studies suggest that environmental factors, such as endocrine disrupters – chemicals that upset hormone balances in the body – might be behind the trend. Modern lifestyle factors, including increased exposure to plastics, pesticides, and other environmental toxins, are also being investigated as potential contributors to male infertility.
What Does This Mean for Male Fertility Going Forward?
The implications of this ongoing decline are significant. As Professor Richard Sharpe from the University of Edinburgh noted: “The take-home message is extremely simple – sperm number and sperm quality has declined progressively over the study period.”
“This issue needs to be viewed as a serious health priority. The evidence is now overwhelming that this decline is real, so it is time for decisive action.”
“Doing nothing will ensure that couple fertility and average family size will decline below even its present low level and place ever greater strains on society.”
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This post was originally published in 2013. It was last updated in January 2025.
