New abortion figures

There is no evidence that women are opting to use abortion as a form of contraception. The vast majority of women requesting abortion have tried and failed to use contraception effectively. No 100% safe method of contraception is yet available, so for women who are sexually active and become pregnant, but do not want to have children at this point in their lives, abortion sometimes seems like the best option.

What the 2004 statistics show is a continuation of a gradual increase in abortion numbers year on year. It is likely that the increase is down to two key factors: 

• A desire by many women to have fewer children
• A desire by many women to delay childbirth until later in life

The statistics suggest that people in England and Wales continue to be sexually active regardless of their marital status or desire for children, and many see abortion as a useful last resort for those unable to contemplate pregnancy, childbirth and parenting at a particular moment in their lives.

The total number of abortions carried out in England and Wales in 2004 was 185,400 compared to 181,600 in 2003 - an overall increase of 2.1 per cent.

This year the abortion rate has increased slightly for women aged 20 –24, but decreased slightly for women under 18.

More abortions than ever are taking place earlier in pregnancy with 88% of abortions in 2004 taking place at under 13 weeks gestation compared to 87% in 2003.

The NHS provided or paid for 82% of all abortions in England and Wales compared to 80% in 2003.

19% of all abortions in 2004 were carried out using medical procedures (as opposed to surgical methods) compared to 17% in 2003.

Most people agree that it is preferable to prevent unwanted pregnancies effectively in the first place rather than be faced with the dilemma of whether or not to have an abortion. Several things could contribute to more effective contraceptive use:

• Comprehensive programmes of Sex and Relationships Education in schools to improve young people’s skills when it comes to communicating with sexual partners and choosing and using contraceptive methods.
• More information for men and women of all ages about the links between alcohol/substance use and lack of effective contraceptive use.
• Creative provision of contraceptive and sexual health services to improve services in rural areas and offer wider access via schools and workplaces. 
• More accurate representation of sexual relationships and more accurate information about sexual health in the media.