Abortion Rate By Race & Demographics in the United States
There are many reasons why women have an abortion. Lack of financial resources and lack of emotional support from the father of the child and/or other family members are two leading causes. Others include fear of being unable to complete one’s studies, launch a successful career, or climb the career ladder. Furthermore, women who already have one or more children may feel that they cannot properly care for an additional child and may feel wary of forming an adoption plan.
Why is Understanding Abortion Demographics Important?
The fears and concerns listed above aren’t limited to any one demographic; however, it is important to understand how the abortion rate varies by race and demographic to provide pregnant women with the support and care they need and deserve. The statistics outlined below enable pregnancy centers such as Caring Network to provide personalized consultations and assistance to pregnant women who are considering their options upon confirmation of an unplanned pregnancy.
Abortion Rate by Race/Ethnicity
Recent statistics show that women of color are more likely to have abortions than white women. Non-Hispanic, black women have the highest abortion rate, accounting for over 38% of all abortions in the United States.
Non-Hispanic, white women come in second place, accounting for over 33% of all abortions. Hispanic women rank third, accounting for about 21% of all abortions. Non-Hispanic women of other races (i.e.; Asians, Native Americans, etc.) account for only 7.2% of all abortions.[1]
At the same time, these statistics can vary significantly depending on where a woman lives. In Idaho, for instance, about 70% of all abortions are performed on non-Hispanic, white women.[2] In Utah, over 56% of abortions are performed on non-Hispanic, white women. This is understandable to some degree, as nearly 81% of Idaho’s population identifies as white[3], as does 78% of Utah’s population[4]. In states with more ethnic diversity, women of color are more likely to obtain an abortion than non-Hispanic white women. In Alabama, where over 26% of the population is African-American[5], just over 66% of all abortions are performed on non-Hispanic, black women. In Georgia, where 31% of the population is African-American[6], about 66.5% of all abortions are performed on non-Hispanic black women.
What are the Demographics of Women who Had Abortions in the US?
Women in their 20s are more likely to have an abortion than women in any other age group. Women between the ages of 20 and 24 account for over 27% of all abortions while women between the ages of 25 and 29 account for over 29% of all abortions. Furthermore, women between the ages of 30-39 account for 31% of all abortions. While women over the age of 40 account for only .2% of all abortions, teen girls between the ages of 15 and 19 account for only 3.7% of abortions.[7] These statistics are in line with other statistics that show that 66% of women who have an abortion either have some college education or have a college degree. It appears that most women who are students obtaining an abortion are pursuing a post-secondary degree.[8]
When During Pregnancy Do Most Abortions Occur?
The CDC has found that over 79% of all abortions in the United States were performed when the fetus was younger than nine weeks old. Nearly 93% of abortions are performed when the fetus is less than 13 weeks old.[9] Over half of all abortions in the United States are medical abortions (most commonly referred to as “the abortion pill”),[10] which is not surprising considering the fact that taking pills is often cheaper, easier, and less invasive than having surgery. The FDA allows for medical abortions up to ten weeks into pregnancy, even though there may be complications involved in using this type of medication.
How Do Abortion Demographics Help Us to Care for Women?
Every single woman needs and deserves support during and after pregnancy. However, the type of care and support needed will vary depending on a woman’s particular situation. Being familiar with abortion demographics in the United States enables Caring Network to meet the needs of each woman who walks through our doors.
For instance, understanding that many pregnant women seeking abortion are students who may be unsure how they will continue their studies and care for a new baby helps us to provide target assistance to these women, so they don’t feel forced to choose between their studies and the baby. Knowing the abortion rate by race helps us tailor our post-abortion recovery support services to meet the needs of those who need them most.
In addition to providing free early pregnancy services like free pregnancy tests, we also offer personal consultations to any interested party to help a woman understand her options to make smart medical decisions. Unlike many clinics that promote abortions as the best or even only option, we explain the moral and ethical considerations involved in having an abortion, the possible side effects of abortion, and the considerations involved in choosing to keep the child or make an adoption plan.We also offer free nurse-performed ultrasounds to assess how far along each woman is in her pregnancy. This is important as it provides insight into options that are deemed safe for her at each stage of pregnancy. To best meet the needs of those women we serve, we need to understand who is most likely to obtain an abortion and when such abortions take place. This information helps us provide accurate information to women who haven’t decided how to proceed in the wake of an unplanned pregnancy.
At Caring Network, our goal is to provide top-tier medical services and professional support to pregnant women of all ages and walks of life. We do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, or any other factor. All our services are free of cost and fully confidential, as not even a patient’s insurance agency is informed of clinical visits. If you or someone you know would benefit from our professional help and assistance, feel free to get in touch with us to learn more about our clinic or simply walk in at your convenience.
