Abortion statistics: 2009

The number of abortions performed in New Zealand decreased in the year ended December 2009, Statistics New Zealand said today.

A total of 17,550 induced abortions were performed in New Zealand in the December 2009 year, 390 (2 percent) less than in 2008 (17,940).

The general abortion rate (abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years) decreased from 19.7 per 1,000 in 2008 to 19.2 in 2009. In 1999, the general abortion rate was 18.0 per 1,000.

Women aged 20–24 years had more abortions than any other age group. Their abortion rate was 36 abortions per 1,000 women aged 20–24 years in 2009.

The median age of women having an abortion was 24 years in 2009.