The overall abortion rate in the United States decreased by 11% between 1994 and 2000, from 24 to 21 abortions each year per 1,000 women aged 15-44. This decline was not shared equally among all groups, and rates increased among economically disadvantaged women, according to a new analysis based on a survey of more than 10,000 women obtaining abortions in 2000-2001.

• 56% of U.S. women who obtain abortions are in their 20s;
• 67% have never married;
• 61% have one or more children;
• 88% live in a metropolitan area;
• 57% are economically disadvantaged (living below 200% of poverty); and
• 78% report a religious affiliation (43% Protestant, 27% Catholic and 8% other religions).

Adolescents.

Declines in abortion rates were especially steep among adolescents, particularly 15-17-year-olds. The rate for this group fell to 15 abortions per 1,000 women in 2000 from 24 abortions per 1,000 women in 1994, a decline of 39%.

Both abortion rates and birth rates for adolescents have been declining since the early 1990s, reflecting that fewer teens are becoming pregnant. However, the proportion of adolescent pregnancies ending in abortion remained stable from 1994 to 2000. An AGI analysis examining reasons for declining teen pregnancy rates between 1988 and 1995 found that three-quarters of the decrease was due to improved contraceptive use, while one-quarter was due to delayed sexual activity.

Women with low incomes.

Although abortion rates have declined for most women, they have increased among the economically disadvantaged. High levels of abortion among economically disadvantaged women reflect that these women have high pregnancy rates, as well as a greater likelihood than women with higher incomes of ending a pregnancy in abortion.

Overall, women who are better-off have lower pregnancy and abortion rates than poor and low-income women. As a result of the increase in abortion rates among economically disadvantaged women and a decline among middle- and higher-income women, the gap in abortion rates has widened and abortion has become more concentrated among economically disadvantaged women.

Information on numbers of abortions and abortion provision in the United States will be available in the January/February 2003 issue of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Alan Guttmacher Institute October 8, 2002

The abstinence message is beginning to get through to teenagers. Mainline doctors are taking note of the epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases and the NIH study that showed the ineffectiveness of condoms in preventing chlamydia, gonorrhea in women, genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid and the human papillomavirus. Poorer women's increased abortion rate may be due to a decrease in family planning funding but more likely is due to a general downturn in the economy. Whatever the reasons, we can thank God that the number of abortions in this country is decreasing.