The Rate of Voluntary Terminations of Pregnancy Increased by 4.8% in 2023

In 2023, Spain recorded a total of 103,097 voluntary terminations of pregnancy (VTP), which represents an increase of 4.8% compared to 2022 (98,316 VTP) and 8.7% more than in 2014, when 94,796 VTPs were recorded. This increase was observed in all autonomous communities, with the exception of Aragon and Navarre.

In 2023, the voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) rate in Spain reached 12.22 per 1,000 women between 15 and 44 years of age. This figure, taken from the study on VTPs carried out in Spain during 2023, exceeds both the rate of 11.68 recorded in 2022 and the rate of 10.46 in 2014, indicating an increase in the incidence of this procedure in recent years.

At the regional level, significant differences are observed: Catalonia has the highest rate, with 14.92 per 1,000 women, closely followed by the Community of Madrid, with a rate of 13.92. In contrast, Aragon has the lowest rate, with 8.4 per 1,000 women.

The incidence rate increased in all age groups, especially in the age group of 19 years and younger. 93.94% of VTPs were performed at the request of the woman. 75.19% of VTPs were performed in pregnancies of 8 weeks or less and 66.99% of women had not had any previous voluntary abortion.

Regarding lifestyle, 30.69% of women lived with a partner. 58.01% were employees and 65.52% were Spanish nationals. The percentage of women with a high school diploma or similar vocational training and university studies increased slightly.

69.77% of the interventions were performed using the surgical method, although the pharmacological method is already the majority in some communities such as Cantabria (96.50%), Navarra (76%), Balearic Islands (74%) La Rioja (68%), Galicia (59.6%) and Catalonia (55.74%).

Regarding the type of centre, 81.45% of the VTPs were performed in private centres. 46.50% of the women did not use any contraceptive method.

Looking at age, in 2023 there were 10,934 VTPs in minors under 20 years of age, which represents an increase of 4.78% compared to 2022. The Ministry of Health highlights the importance of continuing to work on sexual and reproductive education, as well as access to contraceptive methods, to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.

A total of 98,850 voluntary terminations of pregnancy were carried out at the request of the woman; 3,294 due to serious risk to the life or health of the pregnant woman; 2,688 due to risk of serious abnormalities in the foetus; and 263 due to foetal abnormalities incompatible with life or extremely serious and incurable illness.