The number of abortions is increasing - most among people under 30 years of age
From 2022 to 2023, the number of abortions increased by 6,7%. Eight out of ten abortions are performed before the 9th week, and nine out of ten abortions are performed with medication, according to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
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The number of abortions is increasing
The number of abortions increased for the first time since 2008 in 2022 and will continue to increase in 2023, results from new statistics Abortion Registry published on March 7 by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Increase in self-determination about abortion - 10% increase among people under 30 years of age
In 2022–2023, there was an increase in the number of people deciding to terminate their pregnancy on their own.
In 2023, 12 abortions were performed compared to 814 in 12. This means an increase of 009%. Among people under 2022, the increase is around 6,7% compared to 30 data. It is now level with 10 levels of 2022.
As the population increased during this period, to determine real development, it is also necessary to look at the abortion rate, which is the number of abortions per 1000 inhabitants aged 15–49.
In 2019-2022, for the first time in history, the rate was below 10 per 1000 women, now we are back to the overall rate for women aged 15-49 over 10 years of 10,4.
The downward trend in the number of abortions has now been reversed
The figures show that the downward trend in the number of abortions observed since 2008 has now been reversed. We are now seeing real growth beyond normalization after Covid-19, states Løkeland-Stai.
In 2021, we also saw for the first time the 15-19 age group increase from 4,4 in 2020 to 4,6 abortions per 1000 women in 2021.
– This year we see a further increase to 5,9 per 1000 women in the 15-19 age group; – says senior doctor Mette Løkeland-Stai from the Abortion Registry of the Institute of Public Health.
Nationally, eight out of ten abortions in Norway are performed before the 9th week of pregnancy, and nine out of ten abortions are performed using medications.
Most abortions occur in northern Norway and Oslo
Regional differences are still visible. In 2023, the highest abortion rate was recorded in these voivodeships, measured by the number of abortions per 1000 women aged 15–49:
- Finnmark: 16,1
- Troms: 12,8
- Oslo: 12,6
Lowest abortion rate
The lowest abortion rate was recorded in these voivodeships:
- Rogaland: 7,8
- Møre and Romsdal: 8,4
- Telemark: 8.6
The reason for the increase in the number of abortions
The degree of unplanned pregnancy is influenced by the amount of sex and the safe contraception used by women.
– We see that there have been many media reports recently about the decline in the use of hormonal contraception among young people, and the Pharmacists' Association has confirmed that this rate has fallen. Løkeland-Stai says that reducing the use of hormonal contraception is often associated with an increased number of abortions.
– Research shows that using long-acting contraception, such as the contraceptive stick and coil, is the type of contraception that most prevents unwanted pregnancy, says Løkeland Stai.
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More than half of early abortions were performed at home in Helse Nord
Up to the 10th week, pregnancy can be ended with medication outside the hospital, often called a home abortion.
Helse Nord is the only health care provider that can provide data on the number of abortions terminated as home abortions. In 2023, 56,3% of all abortions up to week 10 were performed outside of a hospital setting. However, the difference ranged from 8,7% to 77,6% depending on the hospital providing treatment.
Termination of pregnancy based on the Court's decision is stable
Termination of pregnancy after the twelfth week must be considered by a court. Cases rejected by the main committee will be automatically transferred to the appeal committee.
In 2023, there were a total of 610 abortions considered by the tribunal. Of the abortions reviewed by the tribunal, almost all (607) were approved by the main tribunal.
– Most abortions considered by the tribunal were based on the risk of birth defects, and this rate has increased in recent years, Løkeland-Stai concludes.
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Source: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Photo: pixabay
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