2001-2004
| PROVINCE |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2001 |
2002 RATE PER LIVE BIRTH (by Prov. of residence) |
2003 RATE PER LIVE BIRTH (by Prov. of residence) |
2004 RATE PER LIVE BIRTH (by Prov. of residence) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario** |
38,831
|
38,109
|
36,654 | 35,238 |
29.5
|
29.7
|
? | ? |
| Quebec |
31,038
|
30,841
|
30,780 | 30,588 |
42.2
|
42.6
|
? | ? |
| British Columbia |
15,820
|
16,076
|
15,669 | 14,738 |
39.2
|
39.9
|
? | ? |
| Alberta |
10,894
|
10,962
|
11,027 | 11,283 |
28.2
|
27.7
|
? | ? |
| Manitoba |
3,515
|
3,441
|
3,882 | 2.752 |
24.1
|
23.5
|
? | ? |
| Nova Scotia |
2,105
|
1,996
|
2,064 | 1,936 |
21.2
|
21.1
|
? | ? |
| Saskatchewan |
1,752
|
1,729
|
1,755 | 1,806 |
15.5
|
15.4
|
? | ? |
| New Brunswick |
1,039
|
1,062
|
991 | 1,042 |
14.3
|
14.8
|
? | ? |
| Newfoundland |
859
|
798
|
880 | 901 |
18.7
|
17.5
|
? | ? |
| Northwest Territories*** |
261
|
238
|
266 | 270 |
46.7
|
38.6
|
? | ? |
| Prince Edward Island |
-----
|
-----
|
----- |
----- |
12.3
|
9.8
|
? | ? |
|
Yukon |
125
|
131
|
131 | (1) |
35.5
|
36.9
|
? | ? |
| Nunavut*** |
84 |
(1) |
20.8 |
--- |
? | ? | ||
| Reported by American States |
175
|
152
|
149 |
(2) |
---
|
---
|
? | ? |
| TOTAL*** |
106,498 |
105,535 |
104,248 |
100,763 |
31.9
|
32.1
|
31.0 | 29.7 |
* Includes cases of unknown area of residence and abortions performed on Canadian residents in the United States.
** Due to changes in data collection methods in Ontario for clinic abortions, caution should be taken when comparing data for 1999 and later to data for 1998 and earlier.
*** Data for Nunavut include the complete 1999 calendar year. In previous years, the totals for the Northwest Territories included residents of what became Nunavut.(1) Included in Northwest Territories.
(2) Included in Canada "Total".
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM STATSCAN
RE: 2004 ABORTIONS
| Induced
Abortion Statistics 2004 AnalysisCanadian women obtained fewer induced abortions in 2004 compared with the previous year, and the decline occurred mostly among women in their 20s. A total of 100,039 induced abortions were performed on Canadian women in 2004, down 2.9% from 103,001 in 2003. As a result, the induced abortion rate edged down from 15.1 abortions in 2003 for every 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, to 14.6 in 2004. Induced abortion rates fell in every age group, except among women aged 40 and over, where it remained the same. Women in their 20s experienced the largest decline in rates from 25.8 for every 1000 women in 2003 to 24.7 in 2004. The number of induced abortions for every 100 live births fell to 29.7 in 2004 from 30.8 in 2003. Among teenage women under the age of 20, the induced abortion rate in 2004 was 13.8 for every 1,000 women, down from 14.4 the year before. The induced abortion rate for these women has declined gradually since 1996 when it peaked at 18.9. The crude birth rate for teenaged women has also continued to decline. In 1996, there were 18.6 live births for every 1,000 women under 20. By 2004, this had dropped to 11.4. Induced abortions continue to be most common among women in their 20s. They accounted for 53% of all women who obtained an induced abortion in 2004. On average, 25 women out of every 1,000 in their 20s obtain an induced abortion. Induced abortion rates remained the same, or increased, among women in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories. They declined in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Note:Data for 2004 cover induced abortions performed in hospitals and clinics in provinces and territories, except those performed in Manitoba clinics, which were unavailable.In order for comparisons to be made, induced abortions performed in Manitoba clinics in 2003 were excluded. Therefore, rates and counts published above will not correspond to those previously published. As of 2004, induced abortions obtained by Canadian women in some American states are no longer collected.Users should be aware of certain limitations with the Therapeutic Abortion Survey. There are recognized issues concerning coverage, increased submission of aggregate counts instead of detailed records, and an increased reliance on age estimates. |
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM STATSCAN
RE: 2003 ABORTIONS
| Induced
Abortion Statistics 2003 Analysis Canadian women obtained slightly fewer abortions in 2003 compared with the previous year, and the decline was mostly among teen-aged women. A total of 103,768 abortions were performed in 2003, down 1% from 105,154 in 2002. The abortion rate edged down from 15.4 abortions per 1,000 women in 2002 to 15.2 in 2003. These numbers exclude Nunavut, for which data were unavailable. Among teen-aged women, the abortion rate in 2003 was 14.5 per 1,000 women under the age of 20, down from 15.7 the year before. The abortion rate for teen-aged women has declined gradually since 1997 when it was 18.4 per 1,000 women under the age of 20. The crude birth rate for teen-aged women has also continued to decrease. In 1997, there were 16.8 live births per 1,000 women under 20. By 2003, this had declined to 12.1. The number of induced abortions per 100 live births decreased to 31.0 in 2003, from 32.1 in 2002. Induced abortions continue to be most common among women in their twenties, who accounted for 53% of all women who obtained an abortion in 2003. On average, 26 women out of every 1,000 in their twenties obtained an abortion. Induced abortion rates remained the same or increased for residents of most provinces and territories except for New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia, where the rates decreased. Rates are based on induced abortions performed on Canadian residents in hospitals and clinics in Canada, as well as abortions obtained by Canadian women in some American states. Data users should be aware of certain limitations to the Therapeutic Abortion Survey. There are recognized issues concerning coverage, increased submission of aggregate counts instead of detailed records, and an increased reliance on age estimation. |
INDUCED abortions continue to be most common among women in their 20s, according to new data.
Women in this age group accounted for just over one-half of all women who obtained an abortion in 2002. On average, 26 out of every 1,000 women in their 20s obtained an abortion.
In total, Canadian women obtained 105,154 abortions in 2002, down slightly from 106,270 in the previous year.
Abortion rates declined in all provinces and territories except New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon, where they remained unchanged or rose slightly. (Data for Nunavut were not available.)
Rates are based on induced abortions performed in hospitals and clinics in Canada, as well as abortions obtained by Canadian women in some American states.
For more information, contact Paula Woollam (613-951-0879), Health Statistics Division, Statistics Canada.
To go to the Pro-Life Canada Index
Click Here
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM STATSCAN
RE: 2001 ABORTIONS
This product is a compilation of historical annual statistics on induced abortions performed in Canada on Canadian and non-Canadian residents. Where applicable, data on induced abortions performed on Canadian women in selected American states are also provided.
Counts, rates, and ratio per 100 live births of induced abortions at the Canada and provincial/territorial levels are provided. The tables also indicate whether the abortion was performed in a hospital or clinic setting. A table on the number and rate of induced abortions by age group of the woman is also provided.
Some tables provide data back to 1970 while others provide data back to 1987. These tables are updated annually to include the most current data year available.
The data source for these tables is the Therapeutic Abortion Survey. Statistics Canada was responsible for the survey for data years 1970 to 1994. As of the 1995 reference year, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) assumed responsibility, but Statistics Canada continues to play a major role in the dissemination of data from the survey.
Data tables
The following free tables from CANSIM provide induced abortion statistics.
Induced abortions, by area of residence of patient, Canada, provinces and territories, 1970 to 2001
Induced abortions, by age group of woman, Canada, 1987 to 2001
Induced abortions, by area of report and type of facility performing the abortion, Canada, provinces and territories, 1970 to 2001
The Internet publication Induced abortion statistics (82-223-XIE) (http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-223-XIE/free.htm) is available free of charge on Statistics Canada’s Web site. The “data tables” section provides free access to the data through a special CANSIM interface.
For more information, please contact Client Services at (613) 951-1746 (hd-ds@statcan.ca). To inquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, please contact Paula Woollam at (613) 951-0879 (paula.woollam@statcan.ca), Health Statistics Division.
To go to the Pro-Life Canada Index
Click Here
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM STATSCAN
RE: 2000 ABORTIONS
Canadian women obtained 105,427 abortions in 2000, a slight decrease of 0.2% from 105,666 in 1999. The rate of abortion remained steady at 15.4 abortions per 1,000 women in both 1999 and 2000.
The ratio of the number of induced abortions per 100 live births increased from 31.3 in 1999 to 32.2 in 2000.
Induced abortions continued to be most common among women in their twenties, who accounted for 51% of all women who obtained an abortion in 2000. On average, 26 women out of every 1,000 in their twenties obtained an abortion.
From 1999 to 2000, induced abortion rates increased in all provinces except Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia. Rates are based on induced abortions performed on Canadian residents in hospitals and clinics in Canada, as well as legal abortions obtained by Canadian women in the United States.
Information on methods and data quality available in the Integrated Meta Data Base: survey number 3209.
Selected tables for 1996 to 2000 are available in the Canadian Statistics module of Statistics Canada's web site (www.statcan.ca).
Induced abortion data for 2000 were collected by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. For more information on the therapeutic abortion database, contact Media Relations (613-241-7860, ext. 4004), Canadian Institute for Health Information.
For information on long-term trends in induced abortions, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Paula Woollam (613-951-0879), Health Statistics Division.
To go to the Pro-Life Canada Index
Click Here
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM STATSCAN
RE: 1999 ABORTIONS
This release presents 1999 data on therapeutic abortions for all provinces and territories with the exception of Ontario. Because of changes in reporting requirements in Ontario, complete data for that province are not available.
Women in provinces and territories other than Ontario obtained 65,627 abortions in 1999, down 3.2% from 67,785 in 1998.
Because complete data for Ontario were unavailable for 1999, totals for this province are not included in this release. For the purpose of comparison, totals for Ontario were also deducted from the 1997 and 1998 levels. As Ontario usually reports about 40% of all abortions, data for this province have a major impact on the national picture.
The therapeutic abortion rate, excluding Ontario, decreased to 31.8 abortions for every 100 live births in 1999 from 32.3 in 1998. The rate is based on therapeutic abortions performed in hospitals and clinics outside Ontario, as well as legal abortions obtained by Canadian women in the United States.
Therapeutic abortions were most common among women in their twenties-they accounted for 52% of all women who obtained abortions in 1999. On average, 27 women out of every 1,000 in their twenties obtained an abortion.
Abortion rates decreased in the remaining provinces and territories except Newfoundland and Manitoba from 1998 to 1999.
Selected tables for the years 1995 to 1999 are available in the Canadian Statistics module of Statistics Canada's Web site (www.statcan.ca).
Therapeutic abortion data for 1999 were collected by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. For more information on the therapeutic abortions database, contact the Canadian Institute for Health Information (416-481-2002, ext. 3523; fax: 416-481-2950).
For information on long-term trends in therapeutic abortions, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Paula Woollam (613-951-0879) or Richard Trudeau (613-951-8782), Health Statistics Division, Statistics Canada.
Therapeutic abortions, by province of residence, and rates per 1,000 female population
Therapeutic abortions
1998
- Canadian women obtained 110,331 abortions in 1998, a 1.2% decrease from 111,709 a year earlier.
- Two-thirds of all therapeutic abortions in 1998 were performed in hospitals, and the remaining one-third took place in clinics.
- Canadian women obtained 297 therapeutic abortions in the United States in 1998, virtually unchanged from 1997.
- The number obtaining abortions in the United States has declined significantly since the 1988 Supreme Court decision that struck down the 1969 abortion law. In 1987, 2,757 Canadian women obtained abortions in the United States.
- Therapeutic abortions were most common among women in their twenties, who accounted for half of all women who obtained abortions in 1998. On average, 27 women out of every 1,000 in their twenties obtained an abortion.
- The number of abortions declined in 1998 in seven provinces and territories: Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New
- Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
Therapeutic abortion data for 1998 were collected by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Selected tables are
available in Canadian Statistics. For more information on the therapeutic abortions database, contact Judy Lee
(416-481-2002, extension 3407; fax: 416-481-2950), Canadian Institute for Health Information.For information on long-term trends in therapeutic abortions or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this
release, contact Paula Woollam (613-951-0879) or Richard Trudeau (613-951-8782), Health Statistics Division, Statistics
Canada.
To go to the Pro-Life Canada Index
Click Here
PREVIOUS INFORMATION
FROM STATSCAN
RE: 1997 ABORTIONS
- Canadian women obtained 114,848 abortions in 1997, a 2.9% increase from 111,659 a year earlier.
- The national abortion rate increased from 30.5 abortions for every 100 live births in 1996 to 33.0 in 1997. The rate, which has been increasing each year since 1985, is based on therapeutic abortions in hospitals and clinics, as well as legal abortions obtained by Canadian women in the United States.
- Just under two-thirds of all therapeutic abortions in 1997 were performed in hospitals, and just over one-third in clinics. Canadian women obtained 293 therapeutic abortions in the United States in 1997, down from 301 in 1996 and 459 in 1995.
- The number of Canadians obtaining abortions in the United States has declined significantly since the 1988 Supreme Court of Canada decision that struck down the 1969 abortion law. In 1987, 2757 Canadian women obtained abortions in the United States.
- Therapeutic abortions were most common among women in their twenties, who accounted for half of all women who obtained abortions in 1996 and 1997. On average, 28 women out of every 1000 in their twenties obtained abortions.Canadian women obtained 114,848 abortions in 1997, a 2.9% increase from 111,659 a year earlier.
For information on this release and on long-term trends in therapeutic abortions, contact Richard Trudeau (613-951-8782), Health Statistics Division.
- The number of abortions declined in 1997 in six provinces and territories: Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and Yukon.
Therapeutic abortion data for 1996 and 1997 were collected by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). For further information on the therapeutic abortions databae, contact Christine Fitzgerald (613-241-7860; fax: 613-241-8120), CIHI.
To go to the Pro-Life Canada Index
Click Here
PREVIOUS INFORMATION FROM STATSCAN
RE: 1995 ABORTIONS
- The number of therapeutic abortions rose only slightly (+0.4%) in 1995, the smallest increase since the Supreme Court struck down the nation's abortion law in 1988.
- Both the number of abortions and the rate rose slightly in 1995, reaching record levels. However, the magnitude of the increase was the lowest for both since 1990.
- Canadian women obtained 106,658 abortions in 1995, up only 0.4% from 106,255 in 1994. This was well below increases of 1.8% in 1994, 2.3% in both 1991 and 1993, and 7.4% in 1992.
- The national rate increased slightly to 28.2 abortions per 100 live births from 27.6 in 1994. The rate is based on therapeutic abortions in hospitals and clinics, as well as legal abortions obtained by Canadian women in the United States. Part of the increase in the abortion rate is due to a decrease in the number of live births in 1995 compared with 1994.
- Two-thirds of all therapeutic abortions in 1995 were performed in hospitals and about a third in clinics. The total includes 459 therapeutic abortions obtained by Canadian women in the United States, up from 338 in 1994.
Clinic abortions up
- Single women and those in their mid-20s accounted for most hospital therapeutic abortions in 1995. Over the past 20 years, the proportion of abortions has increased for women who had: at least one prior delivery, at least one prior induced abortion, or been pregnant less than 13 weeks.
- In 1995, clinics reported 35,650 abortions, up 4% from a year earlier. This compares with an 8.8% increase in 1994. By 1995, over 33% of all abortions were performed in clinics, compared with 22% in 1990.
Hospital abortions down for second straight year
- The number and rate of abortions rose substantially since 1989, primarily because of those performed in clinics. Before the January 1988 Supreme Court decision to strike down the 1969 abortion law, abortion clinics operated only in Quebec. By the end of 1994, abortion clinics were operating in all provinces except Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and the two territories.
- Hospital abortions declined for the second consecutive year, after peaking in 1993 at 72,434. Women obtained 70,549 therapeutic abortions in Canadian hospitals in 1995, down 1.5% from a year earlier. Hospital abortions fell in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon. British Columbia registered the largest decline (-12.0%).
Hospital abortions still most common among single women
- In terms of rates, the ratio of hospital abortions to live births in 1995 declined in Ontario, British Columbia, and the Yukon. Ontario and British Columbia have consistently recorded hospital abortion rates higher than the national rate, and have contributed more than half the annual number of hospital abortions.
- The average woman who had a therapeutic abortion in a hospital in 1995 was in her 20s, was single and had already had a baby. The profile of women who have abortions has changed somewhat over the past decade.
- In 1995, 63% of all hospital abortions were performed on single women, compared with 67% in 1985. Married women accounted for about 21% of all abortions in 1995, about the same (22%) as a decade ago. However, the proportion has increased from 11% to 16% for women who were living common law, or who were separated, divorced or widowed.
- About half (52%) of all abortions were performed on women in their 20s in 1995 as opposed to 55% in 1985. Another 25% of abortions were obtained by women in their 30s in 1995, compared with 20% a decade earlier.
- Women who have had at least one previous delivery account for a growing proportion of abortions: 38% in 1985; 50% in 1995. Also, the proportion of abortions for women with at least one prior induced abortion increased from 20% in 1985 to 30% in 1995.
Clinic abortions generally performed earlier in pregnancy
- An increasing proportion of abortions are being performed in the early stages of pregnancy. Those in which the pregnancy was less than 13 weeks accounted for 9 out of every 10 hospital abortions in 1995. This may be one of the reasons for a drop in the rate of complications immediately following the procedure from 2.1% of total abortions in 1985 to 1.1% in 1995.
- Abortions performed in clinics, compared with those in the hospitals, were more frequent among single women, women with no previous delivery, and women with at least one prior induced abortion.
- Over 39% of abortions performed in clinics occurred when the women had been pregnant less than nine weeks, compared with 29% of abortions at the same stage in hospitals. In addition, 17% of abortions performed in clinics involved pregnancies of 13 to 20 weeks' duration, compared with only about 10% at the same stage in hospitals.
- Selected demographic and medical information for women who obtained abortions was available for 69% of all abortions performed in 1995. This information was available for 76% of hospital abortions and 54% of clinic abortions. Complete demographic and medical data were not available for Canadian women who obtained abortions in the United States.
STATISTICS CANADA RELEASES FIGURES ON TEENAGE PREGNANCY
- The 1995 therapeutic abortion data were collected by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. For further information on data collection, contact Sherry Kennedy (416-429-0477, ext. 3532; fax: 416-429-1953), Canadian Institute for Health Information.
OTTAWA, Jan 16 (LSN) - The number of pregnancies among women 15 to 19 rose
to 45,771 in 1995, compared with 39,340 in 1987, a rise of 15.3 per cent,
Statistics Canada reported today. The organization also reported that the
proportion of teen pregnancies ending in abortion rose to 45 per cent in
1994 from 26 per cent in 1974. In 1994, 21,000 teens had abortions,
accounting for 20 per cent of all abortions in that year.For further information on this release, contact Surinder Wadhera (613-951-3415). For statistical tables, contact the Custom Services Unit (613-951-1746), Health Statistics Division.
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