Northern Ireland: abortion percentages by health region, 2006-2023

Northern Ireland: abortion percentages by health region, 2006-2023

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last updated 3 August 2025

Northern Ireland abortion ratios by health region of residence, 2006-2023

area 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 area

Belfast 3.9 4.0 2.7 1.9 2.9 3.1 2.6 2.9 2.6 1.5 1.9 3.5 137.1 131.1 176.3 211.0 Belfast

Northern 2.1 2.0 0.6 1.2 2.0 0.5 1.8 57.4 81.1 113.7 125.6 Northern

South Eastern 4.0 2.7 3.2 2.6 0.9 2.8 3.5 72.2 97.8 118.3 156.4 South Eastern

Southern 2.0 0.9 1.4 1.6 0.4 0.4 59.2 72.0 84.1 114.1 Southern

Western 0.2 1.4 0.0 1.0 0.5 1.9 59.0 7.6 22.4 96.4 Western

Northern Ireland total 1.1 3.0 6.2 20.4 25.7 34.3 40.2 42.5 43.3 48.8 49.8 50.3 54.8 53.0 56.2 54.0 55.7 59.7 61.6 63.1 66.0 70.3 70.7 68.2 70.8 65.9 69.6 65.3 66.0 66.5 67.9 64.0 72.2 70.3 66.2 62.0 59.1 54.1 58.1 56.8 47.4 46.6 45.3 41.2 37.8 34.0 34.9 35.1 30.6 37.8 46.5 49.4 95.4 87.4 112.9 140.3 Northern Ireland total

Northern Ireland abortion percentages by health region of residence, 2006-2023

area 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 area

Belfast 0.38 0.40 0.27 0.19 0.29 0.31 0.26 0.29 0.25 0.15 0.18 0.35 12.05 11.59 14.99 17.42 Belfast

Northern 0.21 0.20 0.06 0.12 0.20 0.05 0.18 5.42 7.50 10.21 11.16 Northern

South Eastern 0.40 0.26 0.32 0.26 0.09 0.28 0.35 6.73 8.91 10.58 13.53 South Eastern

Southern 0.20 0.09 0.14 0.16 0.04 0.04 5.59 6.71 7.76 10.24 Southern

Western 0.02 0.14 0.00 0.10 0.05 0.19 5.57 0.76 2.19 8.79 Western

Northern Ireland total 0.11 0.30 0.62 2.00 2.51 3.32 3.86 4.08 4.15 4.65 4.74 4.79 5.19 5.04 5.32 5.13 5.27 5.63 5.80 5.94 6.19 6.57 6.60 6.38 6.61 6.18 6.51 6.13 6.19 6.24 6.35 6.02 6.73 6.57 6.21 5.84 5.58 5.14 5.49 5.38 4.53 4.45 4.33 3.96 3.64 3.29 3.37 3.39 2.97 3.65 4.44 4.70 8.71 8.03 10.14 12.31 Northern Ireland total

Northern Ireland abortion percentage ranks by health region of residence, 2006-2023

area 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 area

Belfast 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Belfast

Northern 3 3 5 4 2 3 4 5 3 3 3 Northern

South Eastern 1 2 1 1 5 2 1 2 2 2 2 South Eastern

Southern 4 4 3 3 5 5 3 4 4 4 Southern

Western 5 3 5 4 4 3 4 5 5 5 Western

area	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2020	2021	2022	2023	area
Belfast	2	1	2	2	1	1	2	1	1	1	1	Belfast
Northern	3	3	5	4	2	3	4	5	3	3	3	Northern
South Eastern	1	2	1	1	5	2	1	2	2	2	2	South Eastern
Southern	4		4	3	3	5	5	3	4	4	4	Southern
Western	5		3	5	4	4	3	4	5	5	5	Western

Sources (incomplete):

Department of Health, 27 July 2005, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 2004," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/75/74/04117574.pdf].
Department of Health, 30 Oct. 2003, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 2002," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/08/00/59/04080059.PDF].
Department of Health, 4 July 2006, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 2005," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/13/68/59/04136859.pdf].
Department of Health, Aug. 2004, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 2003," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/66/26/04116626.pdf].
Department of Health, May 2011, "Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2010," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_127202.pdf].
Family Planning Association, 2012, "Factsheet: Abortion," FPA, on line [http://www.fpa.org.uk/sites/default/files/northern-ireland-abortion.pdf].
Family Planning Association, Nov. 2015, "Abortion," FPA, on line [http://www.fpa.org.uk/].
Government Statistical Service, 19 June 2007, "Statistical Bulletin: Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2006," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=142305&Rendition=Web].
Government Statistical Service, June 2008, "Statistical Bulletin: Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2007," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=142305&Rendition=Web].
Government Statistical Service, May 2009, "Statistical Bulletin: Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2008," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_099714.pdf].
Government Statistical Service, May 2010, "Statistical Bulletin: Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2009," Department of Health, on line [http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_116336.pdf].
Government Statistical Service, May 2012, "Statistical Bulletin: Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2011," Department of Health, on line [https://www.wp.dh.gov.uk/transparency/files/2012/05/Commentary1.pdf].
Hillen, Jennifer, Sean Mallon, and Siobhan Morgan, 20 Jan. 2022, "Northern Ireland Hospital Based Termination of Pregnancy Statistics 2020/21," Department of Health (Northern Ireland), on line.
Hillen, Jennifer, and Siobhan Morgan, 20 Jan. 2021, "Northern Ireland Hospital Based Termination of Pregnancy Statistics 2019/20," Department of Health (Northern Ireland), on line.
HSC Trusts, 2013, "Northern Ireland termination of pregnancy statistics, 2012/13," Department of Health (Northern Ireland), on line.
Johnston, Wm. Robert, July 2012, "United Kingdom abortions by area," working paper, see "United Kingdom abortions by region," Johnston's Archive, on line [http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/index.html#UK].
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 2009, "Live births by sex, 1922 to 2008," NISRA, on line [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/vital/births/live_births1922-2008.xls].
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, Nov. 2009, "Registrar General Northern Ireland Annual Report 2008," NISRA, on line [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/annual_reports/2008/RG2008.pdf].
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 2011, "Chapter 1: Demographic overview of Northern Ireland," NISRA, on line [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/annual_reports/2010/Chapter1.pdf].
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 2013, "Table 1.1 Population and vital events, 1926 to 2012," NISRA, on line [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/annual_reports/2012/Table1.1_2012.xls].
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 2013, "Table 1.2 Births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages," NISRA, on line [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/annual_reports/2012/Table1.2_2012.xls].
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 21 Nov. 2024, "Table 3.15a Births, general fertility rates and TPFRs by Health and Social Care Trust, 2013 to 2023," NISRA, on line.
Office for National Statistics, 1992, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 1991," National Statistics, on line [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/AB18_1991/ab18_1991.pdf].
Office for National Statistics, 1996, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 1995," National Statistics, on line [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/AB22_1995/ab22_1995.pdf].
Office for National Statistics, 1998, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 1997," National Statistics, on line [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/AB24_1997/ab24_1997.pdf].
Office for National Statistics, 1999, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 1998," National Statistics, on line [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/AB25_1998/ab25_1998.pdf].
Office for National Statistics, 2000, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 1999," National Statistics, on line [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/AB26_1999/ab26_1999.pdf].
Office for National Statistics, 2001, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 2000," National Statistics, on line [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/AB27/AB_No27_V1.pdf].
Office for National Statistics, 2002, "Abortion Statistics: Legal abortions carried out under the 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales, 2001," National Statistics, on line [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/AB28_2001/AB28_2001.pdf].
ProLife Campaign, 2013, "Abortion rate in Northern Ireland", ProLife Campaign, on line [http://prolifecampaign.ie/plc/wp-content/uploads/Northern%20Ireland%20-%20Abortion%20rates%20and%20commentary.pdf].

© 2025 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 3 August 2025.
Return to Home. Return to Other Policy Issues. Return to Abortion Statistics.

area	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	area
Belfast																																							3.9	4.0	2.7	1.9	2.9	3.1	2.6	2.9	2.6		1.5	1.9		3.5	137.1	131.1	176.3	211.0	Belfast
Northern																																							2.1	2.0	0.6	1.2	2.0	0.5	1.8								57.4	81.1	113.7	125.6	Northern
South Eastern																																							4.0	2.7	3.2	2.6	0.9	2.8	3.5								72.2	97.8	118.3	156.4	South Eastern
Southern																																							2.0		0.9	1.4	1.6	0.4	0.4								59.2	72.0	84.1	114.1	Southern
Western																																							0.2		1.4	0.0	1.0	0.5	1.9								59.0	7.6	22.4	96.4	Western
Northern Ireland total	1.1	3.0	6.2	20.4	25.7	34.3	40.2	42.5	43.3	48.8	49.8	50.3	54.8	53.0	56.2	54.0	55.7	59.7	61.6	63.1	66.0	70.3	70.7	68.2	70.8	65.9	69.6	65.3	66.0	66.5	67.9	64.0	72.2	70.3	66.2	62.0	59.1	54.1	58.1	56.8	47.4	46.6	45.3	41.2	37.8	34.0	34.9	35.1	30.6	37.8	46.5	49.4	95.4	87.4	112.9	140.3	Northern Ireland total

area	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	area
Belfast																																							0.38	0.40	0.27	0.19	0.29	0.31	0.26	0.29	0.25		0.15	0.18		0.35	12.05	11.59	14.99	17.42	Belfast
Northern																																							0.21	0.20	0.06	0.12	0.20	0.05	0.18								5.42	7.50	10.21	11.16	Northern
South Eastern																																							0.40	0.26	0.32	0.26	0.09	0.28	0.35								6.73	8.91	10.58	13.53	South Eastern
Southern																																							0.20		0.09	0.14	0.16	0.04	0.04								5.59	6.71	7.76	10.24	Southern
Western																																							0.02		0.14	0.00	0.10	0.05	0.19								5.57	0.76	2.19	8.79	Western
Northern Ireland total	0.11	0.30	0.62	2.00	2.51	3.32	3.86	4.08	4.15	4.65	4.74	4.79	5.19	5.04	5.32	5.13	5.27	5.63	5.80	5.94	6.19	6.57	6.60	6.38	6.61	6.18	6.51	6.13	6.19	6.24	6.35	6.02	6.73	6.57	6.21	5.84	5.58	5.14	5.49	5.38	4.53	4.45	4.33	3.96	3.64	3.29	3.37	3.39	2.97	3.65	4.44	4.70	8.71	8.03	10.14	12.31	Northern Ireland total