DIGEST: Jersey sees highest number of abortions in over two decades

Thursday 20 June 2024

The number of abortions carried out in Jersey last year was the highest in over 20 years – with a "significant rise" in the number of islanders between the ages of 25 and 29 terminating their pregnancies.

A new report published by Public Health today revealed that around 260 abortions were reported in Jersey last year – marking an 8% rise since 2022 and the highest number since 2002.

The report shows numbers and rates of pregnancy terminations, with trends over time.

It also shows the terminations by age of woman, gestation period, method of termination and number of previous abortions.

Pictured: The number of abortions carried out annually in Jersey from 2000 to 2023, rounded to the nearest 10.

The statistics are compiled by the Public Health department from the mandatory notifications sent to the Medical Officer of Health for each abortion which takes place on the island – as detailed under the Termination of Pregnancy (Jersey) Law 1997.

Jersey's abortion ratio was 327 abortions per 1,000 live births last year which is higher than the EU average but comparable to Great Britain and Russia, according to the report.

Express took a look at the key figures for 2023...

• Around 260 abortions were reported in Jersey, an 8% increase from 2022 (240), marking the highest number since 2002
• Fewer than five abortions were performed in England and Wales for Jersey residents; since 2003, this number has fluctuated between fewer than five and 25 per year
• Jersey's abortion rate has consistently been lower than that of England and Wales over the period from 2002 to 2023

Pictured: Islanders aged 25-29 have experienced a significant rise in abortion rates – from 12.4 per 1,000 in 2019-2021, to 21.5 per 1,000 in 2021-2023.

• Jersey's abortion ratio was 327 abortions per 1,000 live births which is comparable to Great Britain and Russia, but higher than the EU average and several other European countries.
• 92% of terminations were performed at less than 10 weeks gestation; terminations at 10-12 weeks dropped from 49% in 2001 to 8% in 2023; the proportion of terminations at 13 or more weeks has been below 5% since 2012
• Medical abortions accounted for 93% of all terminations

The full report can be found online.

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