What year had the highest abortion rate?
Asked by: Cristal Waelchi | Last update: July 17, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (59 votes)
In the United States, the most legal abortions occurred in 1990, with an estimated 1.6 million procedures performed. While national numbers and reporting have changed, this remains the highest peak in U.S. history since records began following the Roe v. Wade decision.
Which year had the highest abortion rate?
In 1973, the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalized abortion in all 50 states. From 1973 to 1980, the abortion rate rose almost 80%, peaking at 29.3 abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age in 1980 and 1981.
How many abortions from 2020 to 2025?
Numbers and Rates
An estimated 1,126,000 abortions were provided by US clinicians in 2025, largely unchanged from 2024, when there were 1,124,000 clinician-provided abortions, and an increase of 21% from 2020, the last year of comprehensive national estimates before Dobbs.
How many babies were aborted in 1973?
In 1973 615,831 legal abortions were reported to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City. The national abortion ratio (number of abortions per 1,000 live births) increased from 180.1 in 1972 to 195.1 in 1973.
What state in the US has the highest abortion rate?
California has the highest total number of abortions in the United States, recording over 300,000 procedures annually. New York and Illinois typically follow in total volume, with Illinois seeing a surge in out-of-state patients from neighboring regions with stricter bans.
The Top 5 Highest Abortion Rates in the United States by Year
At what age are most fetuses aborted?
In the United States, the average and most common age for obtaining an abortion is in the late 20s. Over 60% of all abortion patients are in their 20s, with patients aged 25 to 29 making up the largest single demographic (about 28%), followed closely by those aged 20 to 24.
What 13 states have banned abortion?
As of May 2026, 13 states have total or near-total abortion bans in effect, largely stemming from trigger laws and pre-Roe bans activated after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. These bans generally prohibit abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with very limited exceptions.
Is age 37 too old to have a baby?
Fertility begins to gradually decrease at about age 35, with a more rapid decline around 37. Becoming pregnant later in life can include an increased risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, fetal chromosomal abnormalities, preterm birth and stillbirth. There are some benefits to getting pregnant later in life.
Why were so many baby boys born in 1973?
The years 1973 to 1974 had the highest ratio of boys to girls in the 20th century. In the 1970s, the number of boys versus girls born reached an all-time high in England and Wales, amidst mass strikes, surging inflation and industrial chaos.
Who has the highest abortion rate in the world?
Russia, historically and according to the most widely tracked international demographic databases, has the highest reported abortion rate in the world at approximately 53.753.753.7 abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age.
Are abortions declining in the US?
No, legal abortions in the US have increased, not decreased, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Despite state-level bans, there were an estimated 1.126 million abortions provided by clinicians in 2025, which is a 21% increase from 2020 and represents a steady, high volume rather than a decline.
How many babies have been aborted since Roe v. Wade?
More than 64 million legal abortions have occurred in the United States since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. While numbers fluctuated and declined from a 1990 peak, they began rising again in 2018, continuing to rise after the 2022 Supreme Court reversal of Roe.
What percentage of abortions are by race?
National abortion data indicates that Black and Hispanic women obtain a disproportionately higher share of abortions relative to their population sizes, while white women obtain a smaller share. The most recent national demographic breakdown from the CDC Abortion Surveillance shows the following distribution among reporting states:
Who has had the most abortions ever?
Globally, women in their 20s and individuals living in low-income or marginalized communities are most likely to have abortions. There is no single group that accounts for all procedures, but comprehensive statistics show clear demographic and geographic trends.
Can a 22 weeks pregnancy be aborted?
Yes, you can get an abortion at 22 weeks, but availability depends heavily on where you live and the circumstances of your pregnancy. Later-term abortions are rare, and access is tightly restricted by state laws and specialized facility availability.
Had an abortion and regret it.?
Feeling regret or sadness after an abortion is a valid experience, and you are not alone in these feelings. It is important to allow yourself to grieve, seek support, and practice self-compassion to process these complex emotions. Healing is possible, and professional counseling can help you navigate this loss and find peace.
What is the 3 rarest birth month?
Based on U.S. birth data, the three rarest birth months are generally February, April, and December. February is the least common due to having the fewest days, while April and December are less common due to fewer planned inductions and C-sections during holiday periods.
What is a sunshine baby?
A sunshine baby is a term used to describe a child born before a pregnancy loss, such as a miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death. While a "rainbow baby" is born after a loss, a sunshine baby represents the calm before the storm, offering joy and hope to parents navigating the grief of a later loss.
Which race is the least fertile?
In the United States, Asian (non-Hispanic) women have the lowest fertility rate. As of the most recent federal vital statistics, the total fertility rate for Asian Americans was approximately 1.61.61.6 children per woman.
At what age are 90% of a woman's eggs gone?
According to studies from the University of St. Andrews and Edinburgh University, a woman has lost roughly 90% of her ovarian eggs by age 30. While women are born with 1–2 million eggs, only about 10%–12% remain by age 30, and only about 3% remain by age 40, with the decline accelerating after age 35.
Did Cameron Diaz have a baby at 51 years old?
Yes, Cameron Diaz welcomed her second child, a baby boy named Cardinal, in March 2024 at the age of 51. She and her husband, Benji Madden, announced the birth privately on Instagram.
What age did Halle Berry give birth?
Notable Celebrities Who Got Pregnant After 40 Halle Berry Age at Pregnancy: 41 (daughter Nahla, 2008) and 46 (son Maceo, 2013) Details: Berry welcomed her first child, Nahla, with then -boyfriend Gabriel Aubry at 41. At 46, she gave birth to her second child, Maceo, with then-husband Olivier Martinez.
What is the most abortion friendly state?
As of May 2026, the states with the strongest legal protections for abortion access—often termed "safe haven" states—include California, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and Colorado. These states have enshrined reproductive rights in their constitutions or state laws, have no gestational limits in some cases (e.g., VT, OR), and offer protection for out-of-state patients.
What is a trigger state?
So, as federal laws change, they shift what states and cities can or cannot do. State or local governments prepare for this by drafting laws that automatically go into effect once federal law changes. These are called Trigger laws.
What is the latest you can get an abortion in the US?
As of mid-2026, the latest you can get an abortion in the U.S. varies significantly by state, ranging from 6 weeks in many states to no legal limit in others. Many states with access restrict abortion around fetal viability (approx. 24 weeks), while 9 states and D.C. have no gestational limits.