Abortion statistics show continued rise in 2024/25

Date published: 02 December 2025

New official statistics published today by statisticians in the Department of Health present information on abortions carried out in Northern Ireland during the 2024/25 financial year.

Key findings

• During 2024/25 there were 2,899 abortions carried out in Northern Ireland, an increase of 3.7% from 2,795 in 2023/24.
• Since abortion services were introduced under The Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No 2) Regulations 2020 on 31 March 2020, there have been 11,192 abortions carried out in Northern Ireland up to 31 March 2025.
• The vast majority of abortions in 2024/25 (88.9%) were medical abortions, involving taking tablets rather than surgical procedures.
• During 2024/25, there were 74 abortions carried out on women under 18, 2,215 carried out on women aged 18 to 34 years, and 565 carried out on women aged 35 years and over.
• Across the five-year period, most abortions were performed under ground A - where the pregnancy has not exceeded 11 weeks and six days. In 2024/25, 94.6% of abortions (2,692) were performed under this ground.
• In 2024/25, 89.1% of abortions were carried out under 10 weeks gestation, a decrease from 93.0% in 2023/24.

About the publication

The full statistical bulletin presents comprehensive information on abortions carried out in Northern Ireland between 2020/21 and 2024/25. It includes detailed breakdowns by:

• Method of abortion (medical or surgical)
• Age groups and single year of age
• Gestation period
• Statutory grounds for abortion
• Health and Social Care Trust area

The statistics are based on notification forms submitted to the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland following each abortion procedure, as required under the 2020 Regulations.

Further information

Read the full report: Northern Ireland Abortion Statistics, 2024/25

View background information: Termination of pregnancy