Number of abortions drops for second year in a row

The number of abortions done in New Zealand dropped last year for only the second time since records started in 1980.

Last year's figure of 17,531 induced abortions was down 680 on the 18,211 done in 2004, the Abortion Supervisory Committee said in its annual report.

The 2004 figure was lower than the 18,511 in 2003, and the committee said it was the first time there had been a drop in successive years.

The committee said it was pleased with the trend, but did not expect it to continue and could not attribute it to any single reason.

"Options range from the reduction in the numbers of overseas students, to the effects of school sex education programmes, to the increased availability of emergency contraception," it said.

The report shows that in 1980 5945 abortions were done, and after that there were increases in most years, peaking at 18,511 in 2003.

The highest abortion rate last year was in the 20 to 24 age category, followed by those aged 25 to 29 and 15 to 19.

New Zealand's abortion rate of 19.7 per 1000 women was the same as Australia's figure in 2003, the latest available.

England and Wales had rates of 16.9 in 2004, and the United States had the highest abortion rate of 20.9 in 2002.

- NZPA