29.7pc of all recorded conceptions in England and Wales in 2022 ended in abortion, according to figures released by the UK’s Office for National Statistics [1].
This is the highest proportion on record, up from 26.54pc a year earlier – and a large increase since 2012, when 20.84pc ended in abortion
The UK annual conception statistics count births and abortions obtained from administrative sources but do not include miscarriages or illegal abortions.
Overall, the figures revealed that there were 834,260 recorded conceptions for women resident in England and Wales in 2022, and 247,703 of these led to abortion.
The percentage of conceptions ending in abortion among those outside marriage increased from 29.4pc in 2012 to 36pc in 2022. The percentage of conceptions ending in abortion among those within marriage or civil partnership increased from 7.6pc in 2012 to 11.1pc in 2022.