Key Statistics - September 2001

In recent years, induced abortion has grown significantly in importance as a factor in regulating and influencing fertility despite the availability of a wide range of contraceptive methods. Two decades ago, in New Zealand, one in 10 known pregnancies were terminated by an abortion. By the turn of the millennium, the figure had doubled to one in five. Demographic literature suggests that the propensity to terminate a pregnancy is relatively high among never married women, among women who had had no previous children or no previous abortion, as well as among those who belong to an ethnic minority group (Sceats, 1986; Statistics New Zealand, 2001; Bankole et al, 1999 ). An understanding of these differentials and the underlying reasons for recourse to abortion, is essential for identifying the population sub-groups, which should be targeted for family planning education and greater access to contraceptive methods.