Abortion Statistics
Then until Now
Numbers of abortions in Ireland: Summary
According to the Department of Health's annual report on abortions in Ireland, there were 10,600 abortions in Ireland in 2025.
The total number of abortions recorded in Ireland during the seven years from 2019 to 2025 amounts to over 60,000. Including estimated figures up to June 2026, over 65,000 abortions have taken place in Ireland since abortion was legalised.
| Year | Abortions |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2,879 |
| 2019 | 6,666 |
| 2020 | 6,577 |
| 2021 | 7,000 |
| 2022 | 8,156 |
| 2023 | 10,033 |
| 2024 | 10,852 |
| 2025 | 10,600 |
Click here for more detailed information on abortion statistics.
One in six pregnancies now ends in abortion
We have compared abortion numbers with live births to control for population factors. CSO statistics show that in 2025 there were 54,125 live births registered in Ireland.
When we combine this with the Department of Health figure of 10,600 abortions, there was one abortion for every 5 babies born alive in 2025. That's four times higher than in 2018, before legal abortion was introduced in Ireland (based on data from England and Wales).
Another way to put the same figures is that 16%, or one in six pregnancies in Ireland, excluding miscarriages, now ends in abortion.
| Year | % of pregnancies ending in abortion |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 4.5% |
| 2019 | 10.0% |
| 2020 | 10.5% |
| 2021 | 10.7% |
| 2022 | 13.0% |
| 2023 | 15.5% |
| 2024 | 16.7% |
| 2025 | 16.4% |
The three-day wait: numbers prove its impact
The evidence clearly demonstrates the life-saving impact of the three-day wait. Thousands of women who were given time and space to reflect during a difficult and emotional period ultimately chose not to go ahead with an abortion.
From HSE statistics we can tell that since 2019, 10,421 women did not return for a second GP visit to carry out the abortion procedure, after the three-day wait. That's 17.5%, or just over one in six of the women who went for a first consultation.
Changing the law to remove the three-day period for reflection would without a doubt increase the already shocking numbers of abortions every year.
First trimester abortions are the vast majority
98-99% of the 60,000 abortions in Ireland between 2019 and 2025 have been during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, abortion on demand where no medical or other reason is required.
Abortion statistics: why do they matter?
1 in 6 babies' lives end in abortion in Ireland today based on the latest figures, 10,600 abortions in 2025 alone. These are truly shocking figures after the public was told that abortion would be "rare", as they voted on legalising abortion in 2018.
In spite of the deeply concerning figures, successive governments have failed to show any willingness to take action to reduce the spiralling numbers of abortion taking place. Instead, the current Dáil has voted three times on changes to abortion law which would undoubtedly lead to even higher numbers of abortions.
The human cost is devastating beyond what either words or numbers could convey. Every one of the abortions counted in the statistics represents an innocent individual child whose life was needlessly cut short. Also behind the numbers are very many mothers who have experienced and are living with the emotional, mental and physical consequences of abortion.
As concerns rise around falling birth rates, abortion cannot be ignored as a factor in current and future demographic trends. Across Europe and the world, there have been regular economic predictions that ageing populations will result in a "pensions timebomb". The economic burdens of elder care and state welfare will fall on a work force that is not replenishing itself in the natural way. The rising abortion rate and the dropoff in the birthrate is contributing to the impending demographic crisis. In the decades ahead, there will be growing debates on this topic and it's important that the detrimental impact of abortion is not ignored.
The current situation is unjust and unsustainable, and is doing a massive disservice to women and their unborn babies. The Pro Life Campaign urges all who find these statistics unacceptable not to view them with resignation, but as 10,600 reasons to do what we can to help bring about change. We believe change for the better is challenging but not impossible, as we continue our work towards the vitally important goals of reducing Ireland's abortion numbers and building a culture where all human lives, at all stages, are valued and protected.