Europe: War, inflation and cuts to contraception drive up abortion

In Germany, abortions rose to 104,000 in 2022, marking a 9.9% increase from the previous year. This surge follows a trend of rising abortion rates, particularly in the second and third quarters of 2022. The first quarter of 2023 also saw a 6.8% increase in abortions compared to the same period in 2022. Similar trends are observed in Norway, where abortions increased by 10% in 2022. The reasons for these increases remain unclear, with experts noting a decline in hormonal contraceptive use among young women. Sweden also reported a rise in abortions, particularly among adolescents. In contrast, the UK has seen a sustained increase in abortion rates over the decades, with a 17% rise in the first half of 2022 compared to the previous year.