Abortion

In 2006, the latest full year for which statistics are available, 193,700 abortions took place in England and Wales. That's a rate of 17.8 per thousand women aged 15-44.  

In Scotland, during the same period, there were 13,081 abortions resulting in an abortion rate of 12.4 per thousand women aged 15-44.

The majority of abortions are performed under 13 weeks of pregnancy. In England and Wales in 2006 68% were carried out under 10 weeks of pregnancy and 22% were carried out between 10 and 12 weeks. During the same period 2% of terminations occurred at 20 weeks or later.

In Scotland 67% were carried out under 10 weeks of pregnancy and 26% were carried out between 10 and 13 weeks. Less than 1% were carried out at 20 weeks or more.

Abortion rates are highest amongst women aged under 24. In 2006 the rate of abortions per thousand 15-19 year olds in England and Wales was 24 and in 20-24 year olds it was also 33.   In Scotland the abortion rate per thousand 16-19 year olds was 24.1 and in 20-24 year olds it was 23.6.

There are wide variations in access to abortion services. A survey by Voice for Choice found that the percentage of abortions performed or funded by the NHS in England in 2002 varied between primary care trusts from 46% to 96%.

There are also wide variations in the waiting times for abortion. In some parts of the country the same survey found women waiting up to 5 weeks or more to get an appointment.

August 2007