In the first quarter of 2024, more than 28,000 people terminated a pregnancy. Most of them were between 18 and 34 years old.
According to recent statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, the number of abortions in Germany has slightly increased in the first three months of the year. Approximately 28,200 abortions were reported, which is 2.3% more than the first quarter of the previous year. After a decrease in the last months of 2023, there has been an increase compared to the previous year.
Prior to this recent increase, the number had been consistently rising compared to the same quarter of the previous year since the end of 2021, as stated by the statisticians. It was reported that 95% of the abortions were carried out under the mandatory counseling regulation, meaning that the pregnant person had received counseling from a state-recognized counseling center. In the remaining five percent of cases, there were medical reasons or cases of sexual offenses.
The data shows that 69% of individuals who underwent an abortion were between the ages of 18 and 34. 19% were between 35 and 39 years old, while 9% were over 40. Three percent of the cases involved adolescents under 18 years old.
Abortion in Germany is not legal, but it is decriminalized under certain conditions outlined in Section 218 of the Criminal Code. Counseling before the procedure is mandatory, and there must be a three-day waiting period between counseling and the intervention.
In April 2024, a commission appointed by the coalition government recommended the legalization of abortion within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.
The increase in abortion rates during pregnancy is a complex issue that involves legal, social, and medical considerations. It is essential to provide access to comprehensive sexual education, contraception, and counseling services to address the underlying factors contributing to unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Additionally, ongoing discussions about reproductive rights and healthcare policies are crucial to ensuring the well-being and autonomy of individuals facing decisions about their reproductive health.