More or Less: Behind the Stats How many American women will have an abortion in their lifetime?
Jul 2, 2022
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Updated Abortion Lifetime Estimate
- The widely quoted 1 in 3 women having an abortion in their lifetime in the US has been updated to 1 in 4 based on more recent data.
- This statistic reflects cumulative abortion rates by age and accounts for repeat abortions, showing a decline in abortion rates over time.
US Abortion Data Challenges
- Abortion statistics are difficult to compile in the US due to voluntary state reporting and missing data.
- The Guttmacher Institute estimates overall numbers by surveying providers and using models to account for missing data.
Who Has Abortions in the US
- Most people having abortions in the US are young adults in their 20s and already have one or more children.
- A majority of those obtaining abortions are low income and face financial difficulties supporting existing children.