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ustralian men are choosing vasectomies, with new research from the University of Adelaide pointing to a steady rise in permanent contraception alongside growing financial pressures and the nation’s falling birth rate.
The study, described as the first national analysis of its kind, found the number of vasectomies performed on men aged 18 to 44 increased by more than 60 per cent over eight years. Annual procedures rose from 18,544 in 2016 to 29,848 in 2024, based on Medicare Benefits Schedule data.
Researchers found the increase was recorded across every state and territory, with some of the strongest percentage growth occurring in areas where vasectomy had previously been less common. They also identified an increase among younger men, particularly those aged 18 to 24.
The findings come as Australia’s fertility rate continues to fall. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the total fertility rate reached a record low of about 1.48 births per woman in 2024, well below the level needed to maintain population growth without migration.
Lead researcher Dr Jack Janetzki said financial pressures appear to be shaping decisions about family planning earlier in adulthood.
“Decisions about limiting fertility are increasingly being made earlier in adulthood,” he said.
“For younger adults especially, housing affordability, job insecurity and the cost of raising children all shape those decisions.”
He said many couples are weighing the rising costs of housing, childcare and broader financial uncertainty when deciding whether to have children or expand their families.
Dr Janetzki said long-term changes in birth rates affect far more than individual households, influencing Australia’s future workforce, age profile and demand for services such as healthcare and aged care.
The research analysed Medicare Benefits Schedule claims and Australian Bureau of Statistics data collected between July 2015 and December 2024, comparing vasectomy procedures with birth rates across different age groups and jurisdictions.
Researchers say the rise cannot be explained by economic pressures alone. Greater awareness of vasectomy, changing attitudes towards shared responsibility for contraception and the procedure’s relatively straightforward nature compared with female sterilisation are also likely to be contributing factors.
While the study identifies a clear increase in vasectomy uptake, the authors stress the procedure is only one element within a much broader picture of changing reproductive choices. Birth rates are also influenced by factors including migration, access to childcare, employment conditions, housing affordability and personal preferences around family size.
Dr Janetzki said vasectomy is intended to be a permanent form of contraception and should be approached with careful consideration.
“Vasectomy is intended to be a permanent form of contraception and reversals are neither simple nor 100 per cent successful,” he said.
“This means people need clear information about what the procedure means and the full range of contraceptive options available.”
The researchers say tracking permanent contraception alongside births and migration could provide a clearer understanding of how Australia’s population is changing and help inform future health and population planning.
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