Global Figures
About 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year.
Around 61% of unintended pregnancies end in induced abortion.
About 29% of all pregnancies (including intended ones) result in induced abortion.
The global abortion rate (model-estimated) is expressed as the number of abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age; WHO maintains data for 2015-2019.
Safety & Risk
Around 45% of all abortions worldwide are unsafe (i.e., carried out without recommended method/provider or in unsafe conditions).
Unsafe abortions are a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, especially in regions with limited access to safe services.
Regional and Contextual Differences
- Middle-income countries often report higher abortion rates than many high-income countries.
- Regions where abortion is highly restricted often have higher shares of unsafe abortions.
Abortion Rates by Region
Average rates per 1,000 women by geographic region
| Region | Rate per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| Eastern Europe | 43 |
| Caribbean | 39 |
| Eastern Africa | 38 |
| South-Eastern Asia | 36 |
| Middle Africa | 36 |
| Global Average | 39 |
| Southern Africa | 15 |
| Western Europe | 12 |
Abortion Rates by Country
The abortion rate is measured as the number of abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age (typically ages 15-44 or 15-39). This allows for meaningful comparison between countries with different population sizes.
Countries with Highest Abortion Rates
Rates per 1,000 women aged 15-39 (most recent data)
| Country | Rate | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Greenland | 100.7 | 2023 |
| French Guiana | 60.6 | 2023 |
| Guadeloupe | 56.6 | 2023 |
| India | 50.6 | 2016 |
| Martinique | 44.2 | 2023 |
| China | 41.1 | 2021 |
| Azerbaijan | 38.2 | 2023 |
| Cuba | 35.3 | 2022 |
| Reunion | 34.9 | 2023 |
| Seychelles | 25.5 | 2023 |
Major Countries - Abortion Rates
Selected larger nations by population
| Country | Rate | Year |
|---|---|---|
| China | 41.1 | 2021 |
| United Kingdom | 25.0 | 2022 |
| France | 23.0 | 2023 |
| Sweden | 22.2 | 2023 |
| Russia | 21.8 | 2023 |
| Kazakhstan | 19.9 | 2023 |
| United States | 17.2 | 2023 |
| Australia | 16.8 | 2023 |
| Canada | 16.5 | 2022 |
| Spain | 16.5 | 2023 |
| Vietnam | 15.0 | 2022 |
| Germany | 9.3 | 2023 |
| Japan | 8.4 | 2023 |
| Italy | 8.0 | 2022 |
Countries with Lowest Abortion Rates
Countries with most restrictive laws or comprehensive family planning
| Country | Rate | Year |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 0.01 | 2021 |
| Panama | 0.02 | 2000 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 0.02 | 2004 |
| Chile | 0.03 | 2017 |
| Peru | 0.04 | 2020 |
| Brazil | 0.06 | 2023 |
| Poland | 0.07 | 2023 |
| Malta | 0.16 | 2022 |
| Colombia | 0.28 | 2023 |
| Mexico | 0.52 | 2023 |
Important Notes on Country Data
- Data Reliability: Countries with restrictive abortion laws often have incomplete or no official statistics, as procedures go unreported.
- Hidden Abortions: Very low rates in some countries may reflect lack of legal access rather than absence of procedures. Women may travel abroad or use unsafe methods.
- Cultural Factors: Russia historically had an "abortion culture" where it was the primary method of family planning before contraceptive access improved.
- Population Size: China and India account for over 25 million abortions annually combined due to their large populations, despite moderate rates per capita.
- Regional Variations: Eastern Europe has seen declining rates since the 1990s (from 88 per 1,000 to current levels) as contraception became more accessible.
Why These Numbers Matter
Key Insights
- They reveal that induced abortion is a common health intervention, not a rare occurrence.
- They highlight the link between unintended pregnancies, access to contraceptives, and abortion incidence.
- They show that safety of abortion services (method + provider + environment) is a major public-health issue.
- They underscore that different parts of the world experience very different risks and outcomes due to legal, socioeconomic, and health-system factors.
Global Abortion Rate Ranking
Quick Insights
- Global average: ≈ 39 abortions / 1,000 women (WHO 2015–2019)
- Highest absolute numbers: India and China (> 25 million combined annually)
- Lowest current rates: Romania, Switzerland, Singapore (~5 / 1,000)
- Trend: Rates falling in high-income regions but stagnant or rising in developing countries where contraceptive access lags.
Data Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), Guttmacher Institute, various national health ministries (2015-2019 data)