Official statistics have revealed that the number of abortions performed in England and Wales reached a historic peak last year. The data, published by the Department of Health, shows a significant increase, prompting concern from health leaders and charities.
Soaring Numbers and the Driving Factors
In 2023, there were 277,970 terminations, marking an 11 per cent rise from the 251,377 recorded in 2022. Charities and medical professionals were quick to link this sharp increase to the profound economic pressures facing households. The relentless cost-of-living crisis is directly influencing reproductive decisions, with many women and families feeling unable to support more children.
Dr Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, stated that economic strain is leading many to delay starting a family or to have fewer children. Concurrently, she highlighted that overstretched GP and sexual health services are creating barriers to reliable contraception, particularly in more deprived communities, thereby raising the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
Changing Demographics and Methods
The latest figures reveal notable shifts in who is seeking abortions and how they are administered. Over the past decade, the rate among women over 35 has climbed steadily, from 7.1 per 1,000 women in 2013 to 12.3 per 1,000 in 2023. Furthermore, more than half (54 per cent) of those having an abortion in 2023 were already mothers or had experienced a previous stillbirth.
The vast majority of procedures (89 per cent) were performed early in pregnancy, between two and nine weeks of gestation. The dominant method is now medical abortion using pills, accounting for 87 per cent of all terminations. Specifically, the 'pills at home' method, involving two drugs taken days apart, made up 72 per cent of the total (200,745 cases).
Dr Wright pointed out that this trend demonstrates the success of the telemedicine pathway, introduced during the pandemic and made permanent, which allows for remote consultations. "Telemedicine removes practical barriers for women who may otherwise struggle to attend in-person appointments," she said, noting its particular benefit for those in rural areas, women with disabilities, or those experiencing coercion.
Call for Improved Access and Support
Katie Saxon of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), which provides most NHS-funded abortions, emphasised that these figures reflect the first full year of abortion care during the intense cost-of-living crisis. She argued there is "much more the Government can do" to support women's choices.
Saxon cited ongoing issues, including long waits for contraceptive appointments, difficulties in securing repeat prescriptions, and a limited choice of methods. She also stressed that emergency contraception remains an important but under-utilised option. The consensus among experts is clear: without addressing the twin pressures of financial hardship and access to consistent sexual health care, the upward trend may continue.
