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MEDIA RELEASE: 12,823 Induced Abortions in 2016

Government Statistics for abortions performed in the year ending December 2016 reveal that the rate is continuing to fall.  
 

In 2016, there were 12,823 induced abortions in New Zealand – 332 (3%) fewer than in 2015 (13,155).

Voice for Life president and media spokeswoman Jacqui deRuiter says the decline in abortions is welcome, but the reality is that 12,823 Kiwi babies tragically had their lives cut short. Their human rights to live and enjoy a future were denied.

Many could have been saved if Open Adoption received more official support, given the number of childless couples seeking to adopt.

The decline in teenage abortions mirrors the Youth 2012 Auckland University study which found that only 24% were sexually active, compared to 33% in 2001 and 2007.

Voice for Life believes our focus on social media, shows the preborn baby is seen as no longer “just a bunch of cells”. Website animations, such as those showing the reality of abortion procedures, must be having an impact.

 
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Key Facts
In the year ending December 2016:
  • 12,823 abortions were performed in New Zealand, 332 (3 percent) fewer than in 2015 (13,155).
  • The general abortion rate was 13.5 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years, down from 14.2 per 1,000 in 2015.
  • Women aged 20–24 years had the highest abortion rate (21 abortions per 1,000 women aged 20–24 years), down from a high of 41 in 2003.
  • Most abortions (64 percent) were a woman’s first abortion.
  • 57 percent of abortions were performed before the 10th week of the pregnancy.
  • 18 percent of known pregnancies (live births, stillbirths, and abortions) ended in an abortion.

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