Number of abortions in U.S. reaches historic low, CDC says

WASHINGTON — Fewer U.S. women are receiving abortions today than at any time since Roe v. Wade, according to new government figures released Wednesday.

In 2015, a total of 638,169 abortions were reported, representing a decrease of 2 percent from 652,639 abortions in 2014. The abortion rate was 11.8 abortions per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44 in 2015 compared with 12.1 in 2014 and 15.9 in 2006.

In the years immediately after abortion was legalized nationwide in 1973, the number of legal abortions increased dramatically, reaching its peak in the 1980s. Abortions then began decreasing at a slow rate until around 20062008 when they increased slightly, followed by even greater decreases in recent years.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance report did not delve into the reasons for the decline, researchers have cited improved contraceptive access, which has led to a decrease in unintended pregnancies, especially among teens, as well as the state laws regarding parental consent, waiting periods and other conditions that make it more difficult for women to get abortions.

California, Maryland and New Hampshire did not participate, and the reporting is better in some places than others. The report shows tremendous variation by age, race and geographic region.

While the abortion rate decreased across all age groups in 2015, women in their 20s accounted for nearly 60 percent of all abortions. The abortion rate was 19.9 for women ages 20 to 24 and 17.9 for ages 25 to 29.