Sexual Health

Abortions

Induced abortion is one of the most commonly performed gynaecological procedures (Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Guidelines 2004). These procedures are carried out under the terms of the Abortion Act 1967, which applies to England, Wales and Scotland. Doctors have a legal requirement to notify the Chief Medical Officer in Scotland of all terminations carried out in Scotland. The Information Services Division is responsible for the administration and reporting of these notifications of abortions on behalf of the Chief Medical Officer in Scotland.

Since the Act was passed in 1967 there has been a steady increase in the number of terminations of pregnancy carried out in Scotland. The most significant growth in abortions was in the four years following the introduction of the Abortion Act, from 1,500 in 1967 to over 7,500 in 1971.

On this page

Activity in 2009

Abortion tables

Abortion charts

Link to previous PDF reports

Link to relevant notes and data definitions

Activity in 2009

In 2009 there were 13,005 abortions performed compared to 13,817 in 2008. This drop in numbers is a change to the pattern we have seen in the previous 6 years, when numbers increased year on year. In 2009, the rate for women aged 15-44 was 12.4 for every 1000 women compared to 13.2 in 2008.
As in previous years, the rate of terminations in 2009 was highest in younger women, 16-19 (22.3 per 1000) and those aged 20-24 (22.0 per 1000). Lower rates are seen in the older age groups; women aged 25-29 (16.4 per 1000); aged 30-34 (10.9 per 1000); aged 35-39 (6.1 per 1000) and in women aged over 40 (2.2 per 1000).
The proportion of early terminations has been rising steadily in recent years, with 62.1% of all terminations performed at less than 9 weeks in 2009, compared to 56.8% in 2008.
The use of medical methods continues to increase with nearly 70% of terminations (at all gestations) performed medically in 2009, a rise from 16.4% in 1992. Of terminations performed at less than 9 weeks gestation, 81.2% are now carried out medically.
The rates of terminations are highest in NHS Tayside (15.9); NHS Grampian (13.8); Fife (13.3) and NHS Lothian (13.2), per 1000 women aged 15-44. The Island Boards (Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles) have the lowest rate at 6.9 per 1000.
In 2009, the rate of abortions continues to show a clear link with the level of deprivation. In areas of high deprivation the rate is 16.5 per 1000, nearly double the rate of 8.8 per 1000 for the least deprived areas of Scotland. The differences in rates in deprivation vary across NHS boards, and the rate between most and least deprived can be more than double, as in NHS Grampian (25.5 and 11.7), NHS Forth Valley (16.4 and 5.9) and NHS Fife (18.6 and 7.3) per 1000 women aged 15-44.
More than a quarter (28.0%), of the 13,005 women having a termination in 2009 have had a previous termination. The proportion of women having had a previous termination varies across NHS boards from 21.5% in the NHS Borders to 33.8% in NHS Tayside.
In 2009, the vast majority (12,293; 94.5%) of terminations were undertaken under Ground C. There were 152 terminations carried out under Ground E of which 27 were for Down syndrome, 82 for other chromosomal conditions, 16 for anencephaly with the remaining 27 being for spina bifida and other conditions.
Of the 13,005 abortions performed in Scotland during 2009, 99.7% were carried out in NHS premises.