The annual report of the Abortion Supervisory Committee

The annual report of the Abortion Supervisory Committee is here.

Good to see the rate in New Zealand declining since 2007 – the only of the countries featured to be doing so significantly.

If one looks at the changes by age, the big fall has been 15 to 24 year olds. The number of abortions of 15 to 19 year olds has fallen from 4,097 in 2008 2,096 in 2013. A huge 50% decline.

For 20 to 24 year olds it has fallen from 5,396 to 4,386.

94% of abortions occur in the first trimester.  Les than 0.5% after 20 weeks.

0.3% of abortions are done due to danger to life, 0.7% due to danger to physical health, 1.4% due to a handicapped child and the rest 97.6% due to danger to mental health.

55% of those who had abortions were not using contraception, 25% were using condoms, 11% oral contraceptives.  A good reminder that many contraceptives are not infallible.