History of Abortion Statistics
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U.S. Abortion Statistics |
National statistics on abortion come from either the Center for
Disease Control or the Alan Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of
Planned Parenthood. For a detailed discussion and the difference between the two, visit NRLC.
The AGI reported 1.3 million abortions in 2003. This number is a
drop from the all time high of 1.6 million in 1990.
Everyday, 4,000 children die to abortion in the United States.
One baby dies every 24 seconds in the United States.
Over 48 million abortions have occured in the U.S. since Roe v
Wade in 1973.
AGI reports that about 50 million lives are lost to abortion every
year in the world.
The overwhelming majority of all abortions, 93%, are done as a means
of birth control. Only 1% are performed because of rape or incest; 3%
because of fetal abnormalities;
3% due to the mother's health problems.
For every two babies born
another baby dies in an abortion.
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That's 1.2 million babies each year;
That's over 3,300 babies every day;
That's 1 baby every 25 seconds;
That's over 53 million babies since 1973;
And that's just here in America...
Do You Know? At 6 weeks, brain waves can be measured. At 8 weeks, the stomach, liver, and kidneys are functioning, and fingerprints have formed. At 9 weeks, the unborn child can feel pain.
Do You Know? That 700,000 abortions are performed each year in America after 9 weeks into the pregnancy.
Why Abortions Are Performed
The overwhelming majority of all abortions, (95%), are done as a means of birth control.U.S. Abortion Statistics, U.S. State abortion statistics, by Race, by Age, Worldwide abortion statistics, teen abortion statistics
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Only 1% are performed because of rape or incest;
1% because of fetal abnormalities;
3% due to the mother's health problems.
Reasons Women Choose Abortion (U.S.)
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Wants to postpone childbearing: 25.5%
Wants no (more) children: 7.9%
Cannot afford a baby: 21.3%
Having a child will disrupt education or job: 10.8%
Has relationship problem or partner does not want pregnancy: 14.1%
Too young; parent(s) or other(s) object to pregnancy: 12.2%
Risk to maternal health: 2.8%
Risk to fetal health: 3.3%
Other: 2.1%
Source: Bankole, Akinrinola; Singh, Susheela; Haas, Taylor. Reasons Why Women Have Induced Abortions: Evidence from 27 Countries. International Family Planning Perspectives, 1998, 24(3):117–127 & 152 As reported by: The Alan Guttmacher Institute Online: