Abortion Statistics: 2005

Embargoed until 10:45am – 15 June 2006

Abortion Statistics: 2005

The number of abortions performed in New Zealand has dropped for the second consecutive year, Statistics New Zealand said today. A total of 17,530 induced abortions were performed in New Zealand in the December 2005 year, 680 (3.7 percent) fewer than in 2004 (18,210). This drop follows a decrease of 1.6 percent between 2003 and 2004.

The general abortion rate (abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years) dropped from 20.5 per 1,000 in 2004 to 19.7 per 1,000 in 2005. Women aged 20–24 years had more abortions than other age groups. Their abortion rate was 37 abortions per 1,000 women aged 20–24 years in 2005. Between 2004 and 2005, abortion rates decreased for all women aged 15 years and over.

The median age of women having an abortion has remained stable over the last decade, at around 25 years.

Geoff Bascand
Acting Government Statistician

ENDS

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