Australian men are choosing vasectomies in record numbers, with new research revealing a sustained national increase alongside rising cost of living pressures and declining birth rates.
In the first study of its kind, Adelaide University researchers found that the number of vasectomies performed on men aged 18-44 each year has increased by more than 60 per cent, rising from 18,544 procedures in 2016 to 29,848 in 2024. The increase has occurred across every Australian state and territory, with some of the largest percentage rises seen in states with historically lower uptakes.
Researchers also found a rise in vasectomies in younger men, particularly those 18-24 years of age.
The findings come as Australia’s fertility rate fell to a record low of around 1.48 births per woman in 2024, continuing a decline that has accelerated over the past decade.
National shift
Lead researcher Dr Jack Janetzki said this national shift points to significant changes in social norms.
‘Decisions about limiting fertility are increasingly being made earlier in adulthood,’ Dr Janetzki said. ‘For younger adults especially, housing affordability, job insecurity and the cost of raising children all shape those decisions.
‘When buying a home feels out of reach, childcare is expensive and financial uncertainty persists, some couples choose to have smaller families or not have children at all. Birth rates underpin population growth, the age structure of our population and long-term economic sustainability, so sustained declines have consequences that extend well beyond individual families.
‘If these trends continue, Australia is likely to face a more rapidly ageing population, a smaller future workforce and growing demand for health and aged care services.’ said Dr Janetzki.
The analysis drew on Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data to examine trends in vasectomy and birth rates between July 2015 and December 2024. Researchers compared Medicare claims for vasectomies with birth rates across Australia by state, territory and age group.
Other factors
Greater awareness and normalisation of vasectomy, growing expectations of shared contraceptive responsibility, and the relatively low invasiveness of the procedure compared with female sterilisation are also likely contributing to the increase.
While vasectomy alone is not responsible for Australia’s falling birth rate, researchers say vasectomy rates signal that Australian men are making increasingly intentional decisions about reproduction.
‘Our findings suggest Australians are making decisions about family size and permanent contraception earlier than previous generations,’ Dr Janetzki said.
‘Vasectomy is intended to be a permanent form of contraception and reversals are neither simple nor 100 per cent successful. This means people need clear information about what the procedure means and the full range of contraceptive options available.
‘Monitoring permanent contraception alongside births and migration will help us better understand how Australia’s population is changing.’
