Abortions: Year ended December 2005

Key facts

There were 17,530 abortions performed in New Zealand in 2005, compared with 18,210 in 2004 and 18,510 in 2003.
The general abortion rate was 19.7 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years in 2005, down from 20.5 abortions per 1,000 in 2004 and 21.0 per 1,000 in 2003.
Women aged 20–24 years had the highest abortion rate (37 abortions per 1,000 women aged 20–24 years) in 2005.
The median age of women having an abortion was 24.7 years in 2005, unchanged from the median age in 2004 and 2003.

Geoff Bascand
Acting Government Statistician

15 June 2006
Cat 32.902 Set 05/06 – 207