Five Reasons Why Abortion is Health Care
At Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), we consider safe abortion care a critical part of our sexual and reproductive health care services—one that can save lives and support the well-being of our patients.
Access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health, from preventing unsafe abortions and complications to upholding bodily autonomy. Our teams around the world work in countries with varying laws and cultural views on abortion. Every day, MSF staff see firsthand how access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health.
Abortion is a common health procedure worldwide
Abortion is an essential part of health care around the world. More than half of all unintended pregnancies in the world end in abortion, whether spontaneously (referred to as miscarriage) or as the result of a deliberate intervention. People all over the world seek abortions when they do not wish to be pregnant. Chances are, someone close to you has had an abortion.
- 73 million induced abortions occur around the world each year.
- 45 percent of abortions worldwide are unsafe, the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries.
- Abortion is common: 6 in 10 unintended pregnancies end in abortion, and 3 in 10 out of all pregnancies.
- MSF provided 54,500 health consultations for safe abortion care around the world in 2023.
- Policy restrictions, health inequities, stigma, and misperceptions can inhibit access to safe abortion care.
- Unsafe abortion is a significant contributor to maternal health issues.
There are instances in which safe abortion care is medically necessary to preserve an individual’s health and well-being, or even save their life. As health providers, MSF is committed to upholding medical ethics and person-centered care, which includes access to safe abortion. Anyone who seeks an abortion—no matter their reason—is deserving of high-quality and dignified care.
When patients can access safe abortion care in their communities, the risk of complications related to unsafely induced abortion significantly decreases. Access to abortion is a critical component of the health care MSF delivers around the world.
Statistics on Abortion Worldwide
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Induced abortions annually | 73 million |
| Unsafe abortions worldwide | 45% |
| Unintended pregnancies ending in abortion | 6 out of 10 |
| All pregnancies ending in abortion | 3 out of 10 |
| MSF safe abortion consultations (2023) | 54,500 |