Statistical Report and appendices

The decline in the number of induced abortions stalled

In 2019, the total number of induced abortions was 8700 amounting to 7.7 abortions per

1 000 women of childbearing age (aged 15–49). After several years of continuous decline the number of induced abortions remained stable compared to the previous year. However, the number of induced abortions is still significantly lower than in the 1990’s and the 2000’s.

Especially the number of abortions among women under 20, has decreased in recent years: in 2019, there was 6.5 induced abortions per 1000 women aged 15–19 years when the corresponding number was 8.5 five years earlier.

Most abortions were still performed in the age group 20–24 (13.6 per 1 000 women of the same age). In recent years the number of abortions has declined also in this age group, but stayed stable in 2019.

More than one in three women (37%) who had an abortion in 2019 had undergone at least one previous abortion. 10 per cent of women under 20 had undergone a previous abortion.

9.2 per cent of women, who had an abortion in 2019, had given birth in the last two years and 7.8 per cent had a previous pregnancy resulting in a termination in the last two years. Compared to 2018, both proportions declined in 2019.

Induced abortions per 1000 women of same age 1975-2019

Source

Raskaudenkeskeytykset 2019

Aborter 2019

Induced abortions 2019

Statistical Report 26/2020, 26.6.2020.

Official Statistics of Finland, Induced Abortions. THL.

Further information

Anna Heino

Tel. +358 29 524 7177

Mika Gissler

Tel. +358 29 524 7279

E-mail address: [email protected]