Susheela Singh
Speeches:
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Trends in induced abortion Background: Abortion levels and trends often
mirror patterns in the incidence of unintended
pregnancy. We present estimated safe and unsafe
abortion levels globally and in all the major worldregions and subregions for 2008, the most recent
year available, and trends in abortion incidence
between 1995, 2003 and 2008. We also explore
the association of the legal status of abortion with
the abortion rate. Finally, we examine abortion
rates and the distribution of abortion by age, and
variations in these measures across geographical
areas and over time.
Select Findings: The global abortion rate was
steady between 2003 and 2008 following a period
of decline between 1995 and 2003. Worldwide,
49% of abortions were unsafe in 2008, compared
to 44% in 1995. About one in five pregnancies
ends in abortion. Restrictive abortion laws are not
associated with lower abortion rates. Adolescents
account for a smaller share of abortions than their
population size would predict in most countries
with data. The proportion of abortions obtained
by adolescents is higher in North America than
in Europe, though Northern Europe resembles
North America in this respect. Findings and their
implications will be discussed in greater detail.