Embargoed until 10:45am – 17 June 2008

Abortion Statistics: 2007

The number of abortions performed in New Zealand increased slightly in the year ended December 2007, Statistics New Zealand said today. A total of 18,380 induced abortions were performed in New Zealand in the December 2007 year, 450 (2.5 percent) more than in 2006 (17,930). The 2006 number was also up by 2.3 percent from the number of abortions performed in 2005 (17,530). This follows decreases of 3.7 percent between 2004 and 2005, and 1.6 percent between 2003 and 2004.

The general abortion rate (abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years) increased from 19.6 per 1,000 in 2006 to 20.1 per 1,000 in 2007. In 1997, the general abortion rate was 17.6 per 1,000.

Women aged 20–24 years had more abortions than any other age group. Their abortion rate was 37 abortions per 1,000 women aged 20–24 years in 2007.

The median age of women having an abortion has remained relatively stable over the last 20 years, at around 25 years of age.

ENDS

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