Record High Number of Abortions in England and Wales Linked to Financial Pressures and Contraceptive Access Issues
Data from the Department of Health and Social Care shows that in 2022, the number of abortions in England and Wales reached a record high of 251,377, with financial pressures and challenges in accessing contraceptives being major contributing factors.
In 2022, the number of abortions in England and Wales reached a record high of 251,377, according to data from the Department of Health and Social Care. This represents a 17% increase from 2021’s figure of 214,256. Charities suggest the rise is largely due to the cost of living crisis and inadequate access to contraception.
Residents of the most deprived areas of England were almost twice as likely to have abortions compared to those in the least deprived areas. Financial pressures were cited as a key factor, with 57% of women surveyed by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) indicating that financial considerations impacted their decision to terminate pregnancies. Additionally, 36% of women reported challenges in accessing their preferred contraceptives.
MSI Reproductive Choices, an abortion provider, confirmed a 27% increase in clients seeking abortion services in 2023, with a further 22% rise in the first quarter of the same year. The 25-29 age group saw the largest rise in abortion rates from 2012 to 2022.
Most abortions (88%) were performed within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, often through home-based medical procedures, a practice that became permanent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
