Have abortions gone down since Roe v. Wade?
Asked by: scraper | Last update: August 4, 2026Score: 0/5 (0 votes)
No, the total number of abortions in the United States has not gone down since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Nationally, abortions have actually increased, driven largely by the rapid growth of telehealth medication abortions and legal protections for out-of-state patients.
Are there more or less abortions since Roe v. Wade was overturned?
Note: This brief was updated on January 7, 2026 to incorporate new data on abortion statistics. In the three years since the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, the total number of abortions nationally has slightly increased.
Are abortions declining in the US?
No, abortions are not down in the US; they have actually increased in recent years despite state-level bans.
Are the number of abortions increasing?
Yes, abortion rates in the United States have steadily increased, rising by roughly 16% from 2020 to 2025. Despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the enactment of strict state-level bans, the national abortion rate reached 16.7 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15–44).
How many states have banned abortion since Roe v. Wade was overturned?
As of early 2026, 13 states have implemented total bans on abortion (with limited exceptions) following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, according to data from the KFF Abortion in the United States Dashboard. These bans have generally held in place, although legal challenges continue in some areas.
By the Numbers: How abortion has changed in half century since Roe v. Wade
Can a 22 weeks pregnancy be aborted?
If you're more than 22 weeks pregnant, the abortion usually requires a two-stage procedure. In stage 1, you'll be given an injection to stop the heartbeat of the fetus and medication to soften the cervix (opening of the womb). Stage 2 is carried out the following day.
At what age are most fetuses aborted?
The vast majority of people who obtain abortions are in their 20s, with those in the 20 to 29 age bracket accounting for approximately 57% to 61% of all procedures. The highest abortion rates are consistently found among women aged 20–24 and 25–29.
What is the number one cause of abortions?
The number one reason for abortion is financial instability. Roughly 40% of patients cite an inability to afford a child or related financial constraints as a primary reason for seeking an abortion.
Which US state has the highest abortion rate?
California records the highest total number of abortions in the United States, with over 300,000 procedures annually. Florida has historically reported the highest number of legally tracked in-clinic abortions, while New Mexico has the highest rate of abortions per 100,000 women.
What has happened since Roe v. Wade was overturned?
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022 (Dobbs decision), the US has seen a stark divide: roughly 14–19 states have implemented near-total abortion bans, leading to a 5.6% increase in infant deaths in those areas. Despite these bans, national abortion numbers have actually increased to a 10-year high due to widespread telehealth, abortion pills, and shielded access in "sanctuary" states.
Who has the highest abortion rate in the world?
Greenland records the highest abortion rate globally, with rates frequently estimated between ≈84is approximately equal to 84≈84 and ≈100is approximately equal to 100≈100 abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age. High rates are also consistently seen in several Eastern European and Caribbean nations.
What percentage of abortions are by race?
Nationwide abortion demographics vary slightly depending on whether the data is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Guttmacher Institute, but both indicate significant racial disparities.
Did Roe v. Wade protect all abortions?
No, Roe v. Wade (1973) did not protect all abortions. It established a framework that recognized a constitutional right to abortion, but allowed states to regulate or prohibit abortions depending on the stage of pregnancy, particularly after fetal viability. Roe was overturned in 2022, removing these federal protections.
Did abortions go up after Dobbs?
Yes, the total number of abortions nationwide has increased since the Dobbs decision. Despite outright bans and severe restrictions in many states, tracking data shows that clinician-provided abortions have climbed steadily year over year.
How many babies are aborted every year in the US?
There are an estimated 1.12 to 1.13 million abortions performed in the US annually. The exact number varies slightly by the reporting organization, as definitions and reporting methods differ.
Will I regret an abortion?
Long term feelings of regret are uncommon in women who choose to have an abortion. While people might experience heightened negative emotions immediately after an abortion such as sadness or anger, these feelings can coexist with those of relief and confidence that the right decision has been made.
What is the main reason a woman gets an abortion?
The decision to have an abortion is deeply personal and usually driven by a combination of social, financial, and personal factors rather than a single reason. The most frequently cited reasons include:
Will God forgive me for having an abortion?
Yes, absolutely. Across nearly all Christian traditions and faith perspectives, abortion is not considered an unforgivable sin. God’s grace is boundless, and you can find complete forgiveness, peace, and healing by bringing your pain and seeking reconciliation.
Do men regret abortions?
But the reality is, as you've read examples throughout this article, men can feel deep pain, regret, and grief after abortion, too. Our research found that 71% of men experienced negative emotional changes after a pregnancy they were part of ended in abortion.
Is the rate of abortion increasing?
The abortion rate in 2025 was 16.7 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44. This is the same as the rate for 2024, a 5% increase from 2023 (when the abortion rate was 15.9), and a 16% increase from the 2020 rate. Current national and state abortion counts are available from Guttmacher's Monthly Abortion Provision Study.
Can you still get an abortion in 2026?
As of January 6, 2026, 13 states have banned abortion (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Dakota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia).
How to honor a baby after an abortion?
Honoring a baby after an abortion can involve personal rituals like naming the baby, planting a tree, creating a memory box, or lighting a candle on significant dates. Many find healing through creative expression, such as writing letters, making art, or choosing a symbolic piece of jewelry to wear.
Are you more fertile after a miscarriage?
You are not biologically more fertile right after a miscarriage, but your overall fertility returns very quickly. Ovulation can occur as soon as two to three weeks after a loss. Studies show that conceiving within the first three months is safe and associated with a high rate of successful pregnancies.
Can a baby be aborted at 7 months?
Yes, abortion is possible in the seventh month (typically 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy), but it is exceptionally rare, strictly regulated, and only performed under specific medical circumstances.