Request for Free Sample

Contraceptives Drugs Market Overview

The Contraceptives Drugs Market size was valued at USD 19.55 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 36.42 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 8.14% over the forecast period of 2025-2032.

The global contraceptive drugs market is growing steadily due to high awareness about family planning, increasing need for various birth control methods, and government endorsement in developed and emerging regions. The increasing number of women in the reproductive age group and the availability of over-the-counter contraceptives also contribute to a supportive market. Further changes in the market are coming from innovations in non-hormonal and long-acting contraceptives that are transforming the market and creating a more diverse and inclusive product portfolio.

The U.S. contraceptive drugs market size was valued at USD 7.01 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 12.74 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.81% over the forecast period of 2025-2032. The North American contraceptive drugs market is dominated by the U.S., which has a developed healthcare system, heightened consciousness about reproductive health, and extensive access to varied methods of contraception. Coupled with such strong government support for family planning and the presence of major pharmaceutical companies in the country.

In FY 2024, the U.S. Congress appropriated USD 607.5 million for international family planning and reproductive health, enabling 47.6 million women and couples around the world to avoid 17.1 million unintended pregnancies and 34,000 women to die.

Contraceptives Drugs Market Dynamics

Drivers

  • An Increase in Awareness Regarding Reproductive Health and Family Planning is Propelling the Market Growth.

More healthcare providers, universities, and public health organizations have been working to promote awareness of reproductive health and family planning. More and more educational campaigns and sex education programs are included in school curricula and community outreach in urban areas. An increase in awareness regarding reproductive health makes people, such as adolescents and youth, go for confirmed methods of birth control, which in turn amplifies the market of contraceptive drugs, including oral pills, patches, injectables, among others.

The KFF Women’s Health Survey found that 82% of women of reproductive age used any type of contraception, and one in four found contraceptive information on social media, with a significant effect on method choices, particularly in the 18–25-year-old population.

Internationally in 2022, a total of 874 million women (77.5%) of reproductive age were adopting a modern contraceptive method (up from 67% in 1990), showing long-term improving trends in attention and availability.

  • Government and NGO Support for Birth Control Programs is Propelling the Market Growth

The national governments, as well as the international organisations (WHO and UNFPA), are still pushing family planning as an important element of public health. They aim to broaden access to contraceptive drugs to a larger portion of the population, particularly in the developing world, via subsidies, free distribution programs, and the integration of contraceptive services into public health clinics. These initiatives are helping to drive substantial increases in the uptake of contraceptive drugs across populations by mitigating barriers related to cost and availability.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is scaling up its investments in contraceptive research and distribution, with a focus on new methods and infrastructure delivery in low- and middle-income countries. The initiatives include a local drug shop and digitally-enabled health solutions access.

Restraint

  • Side Effects and Health Concerns are Restraining the Market Growth

The large incidence of negative side effects associated with hormonal formulations is among the primary restraints preventing the widespread use of contraceptive pills. Several common oral contraceptives, as well as some injectable methods, depend on artificial hormones, including estrogen and progestin, which can create a variety of side effects, including nausea, weight gain, emotional changes, breast tenderness, low sex drive, and an unsteady menstrual cycle. Even more infrequent, but serious risks consist of blood clots, stroke, and cardiovascular troubles, specifically in women who smoke or who are 35 years of age or older.

Such health concerns can discourage new users from initiating contraception, and contribute to high discontinuation rates among current users. Another big factor, especially among young women and in areas with limited access to medical guidance, is fear of longer-term effects on fertility or hormone balance. Thus, safety concerns related to contraceptive medications are a major obstacle for the continued growth of the market, fuelling the need for safer, non-hormonal alternatives.

Contraceptives Drugs Market Segmentation Insights

By Product

The oral contraceptive pills segment dominated the contraceptive drugs market share with an 82.40%, due to its long-standing popularity, ease of use, and high efficacy with perfect use in 2024. Often, a first choice when women are starting on contraception, these pills are available both over the counter and by prescription in many regions. Daily oral administration along with extensive hormonal formulations, newly available through regional markets, has made this segment the most secure and accessible option in developed and developing nations alike.

The Injectable Contraceptives segment is expected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period, owing to their long-acting property, allowing for reduced daily adherence. This type of contraceptive is very popular in less economically developed countries, as, in most cases, there is no possibility of timely access to the services of a medical specialist. Moreover, increased government and NGO advocacy for long-acting reversible contraceptives (such as injectables) has resulted in broader public health initiatives to promote the use of such contraceptives, particularly in the underserved areas.

By Age Group

The age group in the 2024 contraceptive drugs market was dominated by the 15–24 years segment with a 68.10% market share. This is due to the increased awareness and education in adolescents and young adults about sexual health. This group frequently first starts to use contraception in these formative years, particularly in cities where healthcare and family planning services are available. Also, educational campaigns initiated by educational institutions, governments, and non-profits aimed at preventing teenage pregnancies and promoting safe sex have considerably increased the use of contraceptive drugs among this demographic segment.

The 25–34 years segment is likely to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period, owing to being career-oriented and delaying childbirth while being on appropriate birth control. This age range usually correlates with more stable income levels and access to better healthcare, allowing for educated family planning choices. Additionally, this group favors long-acting methods and is likely to have more significant engagement with healthcare professionals, resulting in higher per capita prescriptions and a wider consumption of a range of contraceptive medications.

By End User

The homecare segment contraceptive drugs market with a 74.16% market share in 2024, owing to the convenience, privacy, and easy accessibility of these devices to the people using the market. Most (if not all) contraceptive preparations, especially oral pills and topical forms, are self-administered and can be used at home with no supervision from a medical professional. At-home care is the direction young folks and career women are going when seeking a discreet, convenient solution.

Demand for Injectable contraceptives, implants, and specialty contraceptive counselling services is expected to propel the fastest growth in the hospitals segment in the forecast years. These approaches usually need to be administered or monitored by health care workers, making hospitals an undeniable contact point for users of long-lasting or more permanent birth control techniques. Moreover, government-supported family planning programs and increased focus on postpartum contraception in clinical settings are increasingly making hospitals important sites of contraceptive care.

Contraceptives Drugs Market Regional Analysis

North America dominates the contraceptive drugs market with 41.06% market share in 2024 due to the most developed healthcare systems around the globe, full insurance coverage, and strong public awareness about reproductive health and family planning. Additionally, mature distribution channels and the presence of large pharmaceutical companies aggressively marketing a wide array of contraceptives, such as oral pills, injectable patches, are favorable factors for this region. What contributes to the large prevalence of use, especially in the U.S. and Canada, is the support of federal programs, the existence of some contraceptive drugs available over the counter, and sex-ed classes that teach positive information about sexual health.

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the contraceptive drugs market with an 8.71% CAGR due to a large population base, growing attention towards reproductive rights, and enhanced access to health care services. Countries such as India, China, and Indonesia are pouring resources into public health campaigns encouraging family planning, with the help of international organizations. Increasing female workforce participation, along with rapid urbanization, is fueling sales of contraceptive drugs in the region, while the expansion of pharmaceutical distribution in rural areas is expected to boost contraceptive drug sales further.

The contraceptive drugs market in Europe is expanding significantly due to the growing concern regarding family planning, unintentional pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections across countries such as the UK, Germany and France is anticipated to stimulate the demand for effective birth control. Availability and adoption are being bolstered by major investments in modern contraceptive solutions, including hormonal pills, patches, and long-acting reversible contraceptives. In addition, supportive policies are further boosting market growth. At the same time, some governments in Europe, such as Luxembourg, have started programs to offer free or reimbursed contraception, making it more accessible for larger parts of the population. The huge growth of the contraceptive drugs market in Europe will be due to continuous research, approval of more products, and enhancement of reproductive health education.

The contraceptive drugs market in Latin America is projected to grow at a moderate CAGR due to the growing public health initiatives, gradual improvement in healthcare infrastructure, and rising awareness regarding reproductive health. Well-established programs aimed at lowering unwanted pregnancies have encouraged the use of contraceptive approaches. The cultural acceptance and constant efforts in educating the population for oral contraceptives and injectables have also led to more extensive consumption of such methods across the region.

The Middle East & Africa (MEA) region is growing moderately, although there is significant country variation due to differences in socio-cultural norms and access to healthcare. After concerted efforts from international organisations and local governments to promote women’s health and family planning services, the use of contraceptive drugs is slowly on the rise. Though hurdles exist as to accessibility in rural markets and conservatism, awareness campaigns and policy assistance are slowly driving the contraceptive drugs market growth.

Key Market Players

Bayer AG, Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., AbbVie Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Viatris Inc. (Mylan), Agile Therapeutics, Organon Group, Afaxys, Inc., Perrigo (HRA Pharma), and other players

Recent Developments

  • February 2024 – Bayer has announced a strategic partnership with US-based biotech company Daré Bioscience to create a hormone-free, once-per-month contraceptive. This new solution will help increase women's contraceptive choices by providing a non-hormonal alternative to currently available hormone-based options, further enhancing individual choice in family planning.

  • February 2023 – Agile Therapeutics, Inc., a company focused on women's healthcare, announced an update on the post-marketing studies of Twirla, its once-weekly combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) patch. Twirla is a levonorgestrel (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) combination and is part of the company's larger assessment of its pipeline of contraceptives and continued commitment to women's reproductive health.

    Contraceptives Drugs Market Report Scope:
    Report Attributes Details
    Market Size in 2024 USD 19.55 Billion 
    Market Size by 2032 USD 36.42 Billion 
    CAGR CAGR of 8.14% From 2025 to 2032
    Base Year 2024
    Forecast Period 2025-2032
    Historical Data 2021-2023
    Report Scope & Coverage Market Size, Segments Analysis, Competitive Landscape, Regional Analysis, DROC & SWOT Analysis, Forecast Outlook
    Key Segments • By Product (Oral Contraceptive Pills, Injectable Contraceptives, Topical Contraceptives)
    • By Age Group (15–24 years, 25–34 years, 35–44 years, Above 44 years)
    • By End User (Homecare, Hospitals, Clinics)
    Regional Analysis/Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Poland, Turkey, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)
    Company Profiles Bayer AG, Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., AbbVie Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Viatris Inc. (Mylan), Agile Therapeutics, Organon Group, Afaxys, Inc., Perrigo (HRA Pharma), and other players