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Abortion in Ireland: Statistics

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Between January 1980 and December 2016, at least 170,216 women and girls travelled from the Republic of Ireland to access abortion services in another country.

UK

The UK Department of Health releases annual statistics on the number of women and girls from the Republic of Ireland who accessed services at abortion clinics in England and Wales. Between 1980 and 2016, based on the UK Department of Health statistics, at least 168,703 women and girls who accessed UK abortion services provided Irish addresses.

In 2016, 3,265 women and girls gave Irish addresses at UK abortion services. This number is an underestimation, as not all women will provide their Irish addresses at UK abortion clinics. Some women also travel to other countries, such as the Netherlands.

Read our reaction to the statistics here.

A 2016 report shows that 1,642 abortion pill packages were sent to Ireland in the 3 year period 2010 to 2012. by a single provider.

Other countries

Women living in Ireland also access abortion services in other European countries. See recorded figures for the Netherlands from 2006 to 2013 further below.

 

Women From the Republic of Ireland Accessing Abortion Services in England and Wales 1980 - 2016

Source: UK Department of Health

Year All ages Under 16 16-17 18-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40 and over Not stated
2016 3,265 10 56 174 794 769 649 558 255 -
2015 3,451 18 58 187 832 768 693 603 292 -
2014 3,735 21 84 168 918 865 799 586 294 -
2013 3,679 21 90 213 911 884 746 558 256 -
2012 3,982 32 92 223 1,082 964 777 549 263 -
2011 4,149 37 111 295 1,109 1,051 755 534 257 -
2010 4,402 41 115 303 1,181 1,137 789 565 271 -
2009 4,422 38 155 291 1,234 1,164 759 523 258 -
2008 4,600 27 140 344 1,296 1,232 841 499 221 -
2007 4,686 47 147 350 1,387 1,282 790 474 209 -
2006 5,042 39 194 419 1505 1370 824 491 200 -
2005 5,585 39 173 482 1759 1451 860 541 280 -
2004 6,217 49 209 540 1963 1663 951 607 235 -
2003 6,320 42 242 552 2090 1597 954 579 264 -
2002 6,522 54 245 615 2258 1604 928 552 263 1

 

Year All ages Under 15 15 16-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45 and over Not stated
2001 6,673 12 29 903 2,404 1,685 875 508 239 18 -
2000 6,391 10 17 857 2,243 1,631 853 549 216 15 -
1999 6,226 8 25 894 2,301 1,519 749 502 196 31 1
1998 5,891 7 20 871 2,137 1,489 686 462 195 23 1
1997 5,340 10 30 782 1,986 1,235 645 448 178 26 -
1996 4,894 6 22 738 1,871 1,107 608 351 171 19 1
1995 4,532 7 18 673 1,763 943 561 382 162 23 -
1994 4,590 9 28 591 1,856 987 545 387 172 15 -
1993 4,402 9 28 622 1,678 924 561 372 186 22 -
1992 4,254 5 15 696 1,610 855 529 372 156 16 -
1991 4,154 7 14 679 1,511 845 521 385 174 18 -

 

Year All ages Under 20 20-34 35+ Unstated
1990 4,064 667 2,881 516 -
1989 3,721 588 2,624 509 -
1988 3,839 556 2,768 514 -
1987 3,673 512 2,671 490 -
1986 3,918 569 2,858 491 -
1985 3,888 574 2,827 487 -
1984 3,946 556 2,904 484 2
1983 3,677 559 2,680 435 3
1982 3,650 555 2,697 397 4
1981 3,603 556 2,655 375 17
1980 3,320 495 2,494 326 5

Women From the Republic of Ireland Accessing Abortion Services in the Netherlands 2006 - 2013

Source: HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme

Year Number
2014 16
2013 12
2012 24
2011 33
2010 31
2009 134
2008 351
2007 451
2006* 461

*first year of data collection

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