ReproUnion contributes to Swedish National Inquiry

Apr 28, 2026

A new report from the Swedish government committee for a Future with Children brings renewed attention to an often overlooked dimension of declining birth rates: involuntary childlessness. 

The report, developed with contributions from leading experts within the long-standing Swedish-Danish collaboration ReproUnion, highlights infertility as a significant – yet frequently underrepresented – factor in understanding demographic trends. Affecting up to 1 in 5 couples, involuntary childlessness is not only a personal challenge but also a broader public health and societal issue.  While public debate has largely focused on economic conditions, housing and work-life balance, the report underscores the importance of including biological and medical perspectives in policy discussions. It calls for a more comprehensive approach that integrates prevention, research, and equal access to fertility care.  Importantly, the report also links infertility to wider health outcomes, noting associations with increased risks of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and certain cancers. Addressing infertility is therefore not only about enabling parenthood, but also about strengthening public health and reducing long-term healthcare costs.  The work builds on more than a decade of cross-border collaboration within ReproUnion, which brings together universities, hospitals and industry partners in the Øresund region. Through initiatives such as the RUBIC biobank – one of the largest infertility cohorts globally – ReproUnion has established a strong foundation for advancing research and innovation in reproductive health.  The report forms part of the Swedish government’s broader effort to understand and respond to declining birth rates. It complements recent political initiatives to expand publicly funded IVF treatments and highlights the need for continued investment in research, prevention and knowledge sharing.  The connection between research and policy was also evident at the recent ReproUnion Summit, where Åsa Hansson, head of the Swedish national inquiry, presented the work and its broader demographic and economic context. The Summit provided a key platform for dialogue and underlined ReproUnion’s role in bridging science and policy.  Read the full report here: https://framtidmedbarn.se/rapporter/ 

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