Number of abortions in Northern Ireland continues to surge

By Dr Angelo Bottone

20th February 2025

The number of abortions being carried out in Northern Ireland has increased by a massive 29pc in a single year, according to official statistics published by the Department of Health. The figure of 2,792  is three times the number of Northern Ireland women who went to England for abortions before the law in the North was liberalised in 2019. This mirrors what is happening in the South where 10,000 abortions were carried out in 2023.
The new figures indicate that the number of abortions in Northern Ireland rose from 2,168 in the financial year 2022/23 to 2,792 in 2023/24. Notably, 97pc of these procedures were carried out under Ground A, which permits abortion for any reason before 12 weeks of gestation.

In Northern Ireland, abortion was decriminalised in October 2019. Before this, it was only permitted in limited circumstances, such as when it was necessary to save the life of the mother or prevent permanent and severe harm. As a result, the number of abortions performed in Northern Ireland was extremely low. Only 22 cases were recorded in 2019.

In the same year, 1,014 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England for abortion procedures, which were funded by the UK government. In cases of financial hardship, travel costs were also covered.

With the introduction of new liberal regulations in March 2020, abortions in Northern Ireland expanded significantly, resulting in over 10,000 terminations in total since the legal change.

Compared to the first year of the new regulatory regime, there has been a 77pc increase of abortions taking place in Northern Ireland hospitals, the recent statistics show. However, once we include also abortions carried out abroad, the overall picture is even more shocking.

To the recently released figures, which are underestimated according to the report, one must add the number of Northern Ireland residents who had abortion in England – 172 according to the latest statistics referring to 2022 – and also those carried out in the Republic (9 in 2023).

This brings the total number of abortions involving Northern Ireland residents to approximately 3,000 per year—three times higher than the 1,014 terminations recorded in England in 2019, the final year before the introduction of the new regulations.

Unlike reports on abortion services in England and Wales, the Northern Ireland Department of Health does not provide details about marital status, previous abortions, or other demographic information. This is because such details are only recorded in a notification form if voluntarily disclosed by the woman.

However, the most recent data from Northern Ireland residents who had abortions in England reveal that only 12pc were married and 14pc had one or more previous abortions.

The recent statistics form the Department of Health confirm that restrictive legislation keeps abortion figures down. A threefold increase in only five years should prompt politicians to reconsider the current legislation.