Abortion in France (2011)

In 2011, approximately 209,000 abortions (interruption volontaire de grossesse or IVG) were done in France. This represents about 14.7 abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age. The number of abortions has remained stable since the mid-2000s, as has the abortion rate. However, the characteristics of the women choosing to abort are changing.

Abortion has declined in France among women over 25 years whereas the practice is increasing among young women (18-25 years). The abortion rate for minors, meanwhile, has fallen from what it was in the 1990s or early 2000s.

Women are now slightly younger at the moment the abortion is done: their average age in 2011 was 27.5 years as against 28.4 years in 1990. Half are under 26.5 years.

Abortions are increasingly concentrated in the period of “sexual youth,” which extends from sexual debut to the birth of first child. This is consistent with the fact that that period has grown longer recently: women are becoming sexually active at a younger age and having their first child later in life. This development, together with more precarious economic conditions and the now well-anchored practice of family planning, probably explain why more young women who had not intended to become pregnant now choose not to bring the pregnancy to term.

Though abortion is legal in France up to the 12th week of pregnancy (this has been so since 2001), abortions are now done at 6.5 weeks on average—slightly earlier than in 1990 or 2005. More than half (55% in 2011) are now medical (induced by pharmaceutical drugs); the increased use of this method has helped shorten pregnancy length prior to abortion.

Since 2002, early abortions have been increasing while later ones have declined. Rates for late abortions are highest among younger women, women who are unemployed or not seeking employment, childless women or women with one child only. Conversely, older women, employed women and women who already have two children have the abortion done earlier.

According to the conditions observed in 2011, one in three women has an abortion in France at some point in her life. The proportion was 38% in 2002. Fewer women are having abortions but more are having repeat abortions. The probability of having another abortion (after the woman has had one) is higher than it used to be (41% in 2011 as against 28% in 2002). However, among all women taken together, repeat abortion is still a minority practice (14%).

Source: M. Mazuy, L.Toulemon, E. Baril, 2014, A Steady Number of Induced Abortions, but Fewer Women Concerned, Ined, Population, n°69 (3)
Contact: Laurent Toulemon
Online: December 2014