You are here:

Safe and unsafe abortion

Millions of women still do not have access to good quality contraceptives, or have no control over the circumstances in which they become pregnant. Many die as a result of unsafe abortion; many more are permanently injured. Young women are particularly at risk, as almost half of all maternal deaths from unsafe abortion are in young women under the age of 25.

Our policy position on safe and unsafe abortion

Complications arising from unsafe abortions contribute to 13% of all maternal deaths. Where effective contraception is available and widely used the rate of abortion declines.

Our aim is to empower and enable women and adolescent girls to have sexual and reproductive choices; to avoid unwanted sexual contact, injury and infection; to make informed decisions about childbearing; and to face fewer risks in the course of pregnancy and childbirth.

Facts and stats

  • 215 million women who want to delay or avoid a pregnancy are not using an effective method of family planning.
  • About 19% of pregnancies in developing countries end in induced abortion, of which well over half (22 million) are unsafe.
  • Unsafe abortion accounts for 13% of all maternal deaths.
  • Where effective contraception is available and widely used the rate of abortion declines, but nowhere has it reached zero.
  • Unsafe abortion is most common in countries where abortion is prohibited or permitted only in highly restricted circumstances.
  • Death from unsafe abortion is rare in countries where abortion is permitted and quality, affordable services are available.
Last updated: 03 Oct 2011

Bookmark with:

What are Bookmarks?

Image of young woman in Nepal

In Nepal, prior to safe abortion legislation, 20% of all maternal deaths in health facilities were estimated to be caused by unsafe abortion. Picture: Mikkel Ostergaard / Panos Pictures

More information

Publication