Abortion is quite common today, even though the world has made so much progress. It is still considered one of the top issues, like obesity. There is much divide on this topic, based on religion, culture and moral values. Therefore, in some countries, the abortion rate is higher than other.
The main argument to this is that abortion is equal to murdering a child. However, trends are changing as some countries have legalized abortion. But you would be surprised to know that abortion rates are more in countries where it is totally banned.
Here are the top 10 countries with the highest abortion rates
10. China
China legally allows abortion and therefore it has quite a high number of abortion rates, with millions of abortions taking place every year. The abortion rate in China is around 27.85%. About 23 million unborn children are aborted annually in China and legally, about 13 million abortions take place.
Despite the Chinese one-child policy with a two-child limit last year, the abortion rate is continually on the rise. Instead of having a decrease in forced abortion and forced sterilization due to the introduction of modern methods, there has been a continuous increase.
9. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is another popular country with high abortion rates. The percentage of pregnancies aborted in Bulgaria is around 30.75%. In Bulgaria, abortion is allowed within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Between 12 to 20 weeks, it is only permitted if the woman suffers from certain diseases that pose a threat to her life and well-being, and after 20 weeks, it is only permitted if the fetus is severely harmed. This 12 week abortion time period was enforced in 1956 and has been legally applicable ever since, leading to millions of abortion each year.
The UN conducted a recent survey which included nations with varying abortion laws. The result of the finding was that Bulgaria was a country with unlimited number of abortions without any particular reason.
8. Martinique
Martinique is a small island in the Caribbean, with unbelievably high abortion rates. The percentage of aborted pregnancies is about 31.2%. Despite health insurance coverage and access to contraception, Martinique has a high abortion rate. The reasons behind this aren’t yet known.
A recent study was also conducted in Martinique to find out the reasons for the high abortion rates. About six hundred patients were included. Around 60% of the women had no reliable method, just before abortion. The lack of recognition of pregnancy risk was one of the main reasons leading to abortion.
7. Estonia
The percentage of pregnancies aborted in Estonia is around 32.65%. Abortion was legally allowed in Estonia about half a century ago, in 1955, when Estonia was still a part of Soviet Union.
Estonia allows the legal abortion before the 11th week of pregnancy. After that, abortion are permitted up to the 21st week only if the woman is younger than 15 or older than 45, if the life of the woman is in danger or the woman is undergoing a serious mental or physical problem.
The highest number of abortions in Estonia were in 2010 with about 9087 abortions; this means 57.4 abortions for every hundred births.
6. Czech Republic
The abortion is Czech Republic has been practiced in restricted terms for many decades. It wasn’t until 1986 that abortion was fully legalized. The abortion is allowed for up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, between 12 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, the abortion is only allowed if there are problems to the fetus.
Many surveys and polls have been undertaken between the periods of 2000 to 2010. The main focus of these surveys was asking people whether women should have the right to decide abortion or not. In the results of all these polls, the majority of people supported the fact that a woman should have the right to decide her own abortion.
5. Nagarno-Karabakh
Nagarno-Karabakh is considered to be an independent republic, according to the United Nations. Itis legally a Christian population, however, it legally allows abortion which results in a surprising high number of abortions.
However, recently the situation in the area is changing as a recent Law on Reproductive health and human rights was passed, according to which the selective abortions will be banned in the country. As the law was passed recently, it will take effect on March 30.
4. Cuba
Cuba is another one of the top countries with high abortion rate. The total percentage of pregnancies aborted is 38.25%. Cuba has allowed abortions since 1968, and it is one of the only countries in Latin America with abnormally high proportion of abortions.
Other contraceptives and methods of birth control are also used in Cuba. Although abortion is a popular method for the regulation in Cuba, other methods are also being used like IUD and the use of contraceptives.
3. Hungary
Hungary also has a high abortion and the main reason for this is that the country has a pro-choice stance for its existence. Abortion has been legal in the country since the 1950s.
In Hungary, a pregnancy can be terminated up to the 12th week. But the catch here is that a woman has to go to a family planning twice to receive the proper information. The woman must have counselling, pay for the termination and wait for at least three days after requesting it. Other than abortion, the modern methods of contraception are also being used in different pharmacies and clinics. Family planning services are also available in the country, however, its quality is a bit low.
2. Russia
Russia has about the second most number of abortions. This might be quite surprising to you, but considering the fact that the country resides in a number of different cultures with their own unique backgrounds, it seems a little less surprising. Moreover, abortion was legalized in the country, dating back to the 1920s and these regions include Crimea, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia and others.
The abortion in Russia is available up to the 12th week of pregnancy, and in special circumstances, at later stages.
The abortion rates have been amongst the highest in Russia since the 1990s. In 2001, 1.31 million abortions took place and in 2005, 1.6 million abortions were reported, which involved 20% girls under the age of 8 years.
1. Greenland
The percentage of pregnancies aborted in Greenland is about 50.45%. This is a bit shocking, considering the fact that Greenland provides free contraceptives to women. However, most of them don’t use it. The result of this is an abnormal increase in the abortion rates, which outnumbers the births.
From 2006 to 2013, the abortions were consistent between 800 and 900 but after the abortion rates have significantly increased.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 countries with the highest abortion rates. Abortion, which started as a blessing in the form of birth control, has turned into a curse. But the clock can’t be turned back. What’s done is done. The best that can be done is that the countries pass laws to legalize abortion only in extreme situations.
I’m Hina Khan, working as a writer at Worldblaze.in blog. I love dancing and listening punjabi music. Here I’m sharing all the interesting stuffs that will definitely entertain you.