Status: 07.04.2022 1:35 p.m
The number of abortions in Germany fell last year to its lowest level since the survey began. Around 94,600 abortions were carried out, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
The number of abortions fell last year to its lowest level since the survey began. In around 94,600 cases, women opted for a corresponding procedure. The Federal Statistical Office announced that this was 5.4 percent less than in the previous year.
This is the lowest number since the Federal Office began the time series on abortions in 1996. At that time, 130,899 interventions were counted. Previously, there was no legal basis for these statistics, said a spokesman.
Most dropouts between 18 and 34 years
A clear reason for the decline could not be seen from the available data, the authority explained. At least in the previous year, the corona pandemic did not cause such a decline: in 2020, the number of terminations fell by 0.9 percent and thus less.
Seven out of ten women (70 percent) who had an abortion in 2021 were said to be between 18 and 34 years old; about every fifth woman (19 percent) was between 35 and 39 years old. Around eight percent were 40 years and older, three percent not yet grown up.
14,300 fewer abortions than in 2011
In a ten-year comparison, the statistical office registered significantly fewer abortions. According to this, a total of 14,300 fewer cases were reported in 2021 than in 2011. The number in the younger age groups fell at an above-average rate.
There were around 40 percent or 1,500 fewer abortions among 15- to 17-year-olds, and around 41 percent fewer among 18- to 19-year-olds. Part of this effect is due to the fact that the number of women in these age groups in Germany has decreased over the same period.
96 percent of interventions according to counseling regulations
Around 41 percent of the women who had an abortion in the past year had not previously given birth to a child, according to the Federal Office. 96 percent of the interventions were carried out according to the so-called advisory regulation.
Since 1995, abortion has not been punishable within the first twelve weeks if the woman seeks advice beforehand. In the remaining four percent, indications for medical reasons and due to sexual offenses were the reasons for the termination.