Abortion Statistics: 2003
The general abortion rate (number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years) rose from 20.0 in 2002 to 21.0 per
1,000 in 2003, Statistics New Zealand reported today. There were 18,510 abortions performed in New Zealand during the
December 2003 year, 1,130 or 6.5 percent more than in 2002.
The age group 20–24 years remains the most common age for abortions, accounting for approximately 3 out of 10 abortions
in 2003. Women in this age group had the highest abortion rate of any age group (41.3 abortions per 1,000), followed by
those aged 25–29 years (28.2 per 1,000) and teenagers aged 15–19 years (26.1 per 1,000). Over the last decade, abortion
rates have increased for all age groups, though by varying amounts. The increases range from 40 percent for women aged
35–39 years, to 70 percent for women aged 20–24 years.
The median age of women having an abortion has remained stable over the last decade, at around 25 years.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician