“37 Egg Bank” at CHA Hospital, renowned for infertility treatment, offers egg freezing and storage services. (Image courtesy of CHA Hospital)
SEOUL, May 5 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government is reviewing a proposal to lower the upper age limit for women eligible for its egg freezing subsidy program from 49 to 45, amid growing concerns over the program’s effectiveness in older age groups.
The move follows a recommendation by the Seoul Metropolitan Audit Committee, which conducted a recent audit of the initiative managed by the Seoul Foundation of Women and Family. The committee urged the city to reassess the age criteria in light of limited public funds and diminishing clinical outcomes for women in their late 40s.
“There is expert consensus that the effectiveness of egg freezing significantly declines in the late 40s,” a city official said. “Some specialists have suggested capping eligibility at 40, but for now, we’re considering reducing it to 45.”
Launched to help women preserve their fertility, the program subsidizes up to 50 percent of egg freezing procedure costs — capped at 2 million won (approximately $1,380) per person — on a one-time basis. In 2024, the average subsidy awarded was around 1.77 million won.
However, the program does not cover preliminary testing or storage fees. Women in their 20s must also meet additional medical criteria, including an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) level of 3.5 ng/mL or lower, or submit a physician’s recommendation. Applicants in their 30s and 40s are not subject to this requirement.
For 2025, the city plans to provide subsidies to approximately 650 women, using a combination of municipal funds and donations from the General Insurance Association of Korea.
Critics of the current policy argue that supporting egg freezing for women in their mid-to-late 40s has limited medical value, especially for those aiming to conceive in their 50s.
The city’s ongoing review reflects a broader debate over how public fertility programs should balance inclusivity with biological realities and budget constraints.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
