Number increased by 4.5 percent
More women in Germany are having abortions
September 11, 2023, 11:57 a.m
In Germany there were more abortions again in the spring. The Federal Statistical Office reports around 26,700 abortions for the second quarter of 2023. Almost half of the women affected have not previously given birth to children.
The number of abortions in Germany increased in the second quarter of 2023. Around 26,700 abortions were reported between early April and late June, 4.5 percent more than in the same period last year, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. The numbers have been increasing since the beginning of 2022, the Federal Office announced.
The reason for the development is not clear from the available data, especially since the personal reasons for the decision are not known. The majority of women – 70 percent – who had an abortion in the second quarter of 2023 were between 18 and 34 years old, and 19 percent were between 35 and 39 years old. Eight percent of the women were at least 40 years old and three percent were younger than 18 years.
Around 42 percent had not previously given birth to a child, as the Federal Office announced. At 96 percent, the vast majority of abortions were carried out according to the so-called consultation regulation. According to the regulation, an abortion in the first twelve weeks remains unpunished if the woman seeks advice beforehand.
According to the information, indications for medical reasons and rape were present in four percent of cases. Half of the interventions were performed using the suction method, and Mifegyne was used in 37 percent. The abortions were predominantly carried out on an outpatient basis, 83 percent of which took place in doctors’ offices or surgical centers and 14 percent on an outpatient basis in hospitals.