The number of abortions in the United States dropped sharply from 2006 to 2015, according to new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The government data show that the number of abortions dropped 24 percent to 638,169 over that nine-year period.

The rate of abortions also declined, from 15.9 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 to 11.8 abortions for the same amount of women in that age group in 2015.

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“Unintended pregnancy is the major contributor to induced abortion,” the report states. “Increasing access to and use of effective contraception can reduce unintended pregnancies and further reduce the number of abortions performed in the United States.”

The declining numbers come as the divisive issue is back in the spotlight. Democrats have warned that President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE’s latest appointee to the Supreme Court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh Brett Michael KavanaughHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Poll: 59 percent think president elected in November should name next Supreme Court justice Feinstein 'surprised and taken aback' by suggestion she's not up for Supreme Court fight MORE, could provide the fifth vote needed to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to ban or heavily restrict abortions.

Several states are already testing the limits of what the courts will allow.

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks. That ruling may be appealed.

The CDC said there are limitations to its most recent set of data. For example, reporting is voluntary, and figures from California, Maryland and New Hampshire are not included in the overall numbers.