Many people are surprised to learn how many abortions take place each year.

In recent years the number of abortions in England and Wales has risen steadily. Each year the Department for Health and Social Care publishes a report on abortion.

2017 – “There were 192,900 abortions for women resident in England and Wales in 2017 and 197,533 abortions including non-residents. This is an increase of 4% since 2016, the highest level since 2008.”

2018 – “There were 200,608 abortions for women resident in England and Wales in 2018 and 205,295 abortions including non-residents. The figure for women resident in England and Wales is an increase of 4% since 2017.”

2019 – “There were 207,384 abortions for women resident in England and Wales, the highest number since the Abortion Act was introduced.”

2020 – “There were 209,917 abortions for women resident in England and Wales, the highest number since the Abortion Act was introduced.”

2021 – “There were 214,256 abortions for women resident in England and Wales, the highest number since the Abortion Act was introduced.”

2022 – “There were 252,122 abortions for women resident in England and Wales, the highest number since the Abortion Act was introduced”