The abortion rate has dropped for the second year running in England and Wales.
New statistics show that the total number of abortions was 189,100 in 2009 which is a rate of 17.5 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. In 2008, this figure was 18.2. Over the 40 years to 2007, the abortion rate was generally rising. The abortion rate in Scotland also fell last year to 12.4 per 1,000 according to Department of Health figures.
Ann Furedi, of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which is the UK's largest abortion provider said: "Abortion figures tend to fluctuate slightly year-on-year so we can't call this a trend yet......Unintended pregnancy and abortion will always be facts of life because women want to make sure the time is right for them to take on the important role of becoming a parent"
At the beginning of The Seventies the abortion rate was around the 8 abortions per 1,000 women figure, but after almost continuous increases every year, it rose to 18.6 two years ago. Since then the rate has fallen. The number of abortions carried out before the 10 week mark has risen.
The abortion rate was highest at 33 per 1,000 among women aged 19, 20 and 21, although even that rate has dropped since last year.
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