Age-Specific Pregnancy and Abortion Rates in High-Income Countries, 1990-2024

Gilda Sedgh, Guttmacher Institute
Jonathan Bearak, Guttmacher Insitute

Background and purpose: Information on levels and trends in pregnancy and abortion events across population subgroups within countries can be used to craft policies and programs that meet the needs of all individuals, and can contribute to an informed public discourse around abortion. This study examines trends in age-specific pregnancy and abortion rates in high-income countries (HICs) from 1990-2023. We will also make the first-ever estimates of age-specific abortion rates among those at risk of an unintended pregnancy (conditional abortion rates). Data and methods: We are using abortion statistics from 24 HICs, birth and population estimates from the United Nations Population Division (UNPD), and estimates of the proportion of women wishing to avoid pregnancy from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). We will assess trends covering as much of the period from 1990 to 2023 as each country’s data will allow. We will present age-specific pregnancy and abortion rates, total pregnancy and abortion rates, and proportions of pregnancies ending in abortion. Expected findings: We will identify countries with steepest trends over time, with a particular focus on trends among adolescents. We will discuss possible roles of factors like contraceptive use, policies and social norms in shaping observed trends.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Fertility, Family Planning and Contraception

See extended abstract.