Abortion
Medical procedure ending pregnancy; subject of global legal and ethical debate.
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. The unmodified word generally refers to induced abortion, or deliberate actions to end a pregnancy. Abortion occurring without intervention is known as spontaneous abortion or miscarriage, which occurs in roughly 30–40% of all pregnancies.
- definition
- Termination of pregnancy by removal or expulsion of embryo or fetus
- global annual number
- Around 73 million
- unsafe proportion
- About 45% done unsafely
- spontaneous abortion rate
- Roughly 30–40% of all pregnancies
Lore & Background
Induced abortion can be performed using medication or surgery. Self-managed medication abortion is highly effective and safe throughout the first trimester. The most common surgical technique involves dilating the cervix and using a suction device. When performed legally and safely, induced abortion does not increase the risk of long-term mental or physical problems.
Reader's Guide
Abortion is a common medical procedure, with about one in five pregnancies worldwide ending in induced abortion. Most abortions result from unintended pregnancies. Public health data show that making safe abortion legal and accessible reduces maternal deaths. The World Health Organization states that access to legal, safe and comprehensive abortion care is essential for the highest possible level of sexual and reproductive health. Those who oppose abortion often argue that an embryo or fetus is a person with a right to life; those who support legality often argue it is a woman's reproductive right. Abortion rates are similar between countries that restrict abortion and those that broadly allow it, partly because restrictive countries tend to have higher unintended pregnancy rates.
Did You Know?
- Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) occurs in roughly 30–40% of all pregnancies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Abortion in the context of reproduction & development?
Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy through the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus. When used without any qualifier, the term typically points to a deliberate, medically induced procedure rather than a natural event.
How common is spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)?
Spontaneous abortion, the loss of a pregnancy without any external intervention, affects roughly 30 to 40 percent of all recognized pregnancies. This makes it one of the most statistically frequent outcomes in early human reproduction.
How many induced abortions occur worldwide each year?
Approximately 73 million induced abortions are performed globally on an annual basis. This figure spans every region and reflects the full range of legal and cultural contexts in which the procedure takes place.
What share of abortions are carried out under unsafe conditions?
Roughly 45 percent of all induced abortions are done unsafely, meaning they lack adequate medical equipment, trained providers, or a sterile setting. Those circumstances substantially raise the risk of severe complications for the person undergoing the procedure.
Why does abortion remain a subject of global legal and ethical debate?
Because it is a medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy, it sits at the crossroads of reproductive medicine, public health policy, and moral philosophy. Different nations and communities have built distinct legal frameworks around access, regulation, and restriction, keeping the discussion active worldwide.
More in Reproduction & Development 1-19
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record