Infertility is a significant global health challenge impacting millions of families worldwide. Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, a Chinese-led study examined global, regional, and national infertility prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) from 1990 to 2021. The study revealed a sustained increase in the global burden of infertility over the three decades, with a higher and more rapidly growing burden among women, alongside notable regional disparities. These findings could serve as a critical evidence base for developing evidence-based policies and resource allocation strategies to address the infertility burden.