US abortion rates at historic low, according to CDC

ATLANTA — The CDC reports that the number of abortions performed in the U.S. remains at historic lows. An analysis of data reported by 49 reporting agencies in 47 states, New York City and Washington D.C. but excluding California, Maryland and New Hampshire reported a total of 652,639 abortions in 2014. That number represents a decrease of 21 percent in the number of abortions from 2005 to 2014. The CDC suggests education and increased access to contraceptives have reduced the number of unintended pregnancies, a primary reason cited by those seeking an abortion.

Women in their 20s account for the majority of abortions, though the rate among women in this age group dropped between 2005 and 2014. The only age group where abortion rates increased was among women older than 40 (a 4 percent increase). Only 14.5 percent of all women who obtained an abortion were married. Non-Hispanic white women and non-Hispanic black women accounted for the largest percentages of all abortions (38 percent and 36 percent, respectively). (TAB)