The World’s Abortion Laws
The Center for Reproductive Rights uses the power of law to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights around the world.
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The World’s Abortion Laws
Globally, there is an overwhelming trend towards the liberalization of abortion laws.
Over the past 30 years, more than 60 countries and territories have liberalized their abortion laws.
From Ireland to Nepal, abortion rights are becoming recognized as fundamental human rights for millions of people worldwide. And in Latin America, the Green Wave is ushering in a new era of liberalization in Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, and elsewhere in the region.
Only four countries have rolled back the legality of abortion.
The devastating regression on abortion rights in the United States makes the country a stark outlier to the global trend toward liberalization.
An overwhelming trend towards the liberalization of abortion laws
Pictured: Countries and territories that have liberalized their abortion laws (dark blue) vs. those that have rolled back the legality of abortion (red).
60% live where abortion is broadly legal.
1.12 billion women of reproductive age
This analysis draws from the most recent data from the UN Population Division, which tracks the number of women of reproductive age living in each country. We recognize people who do not identify as women may also need access to abortion services.
40% live under restrictive laws.
753 million women of reproductive age
Since its founding in 1992, the Center for Reproductive Rights has worked across the globe to expand reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right.
This map is our definitive record of the legal status of abortion globally and is updated in real-time to show how countries and territories are protecting – or violating – individuals’ abortion rights.
Category I - On Request (Gestational Limits Vary)
662 million
(34%) women of reproductive agelive in 77 countries that allow abortion on request.
These laws generally have gestational limits.
Category II - Broad Social or Economic Grounds
457 Million
(23%) women of reproductive age live in 12 countries/territories that allow abortion on broad social or economic grounds.
Many countries and territories also permit abortion on other specific grounds, such as when pregnancy results from rape or incest or in cases of certain fetal diagnoses.
Category III - To Preserve Health
226 Million
(12%) women of reproductive age live in 47 countries where abortion is permitted when pregnancy poses a risk to the person's health.
Many of these laws include threats to the person's mental health. Many countries also permit abortion on other specific grounds, such as when pregnancy results from rape or incest or in cases of certain fetal diagnoses.
Category IV - To Save a Person's Life
416 Million
(20%) women of reproductive agelive in 44 countries that allow abortion to save the life of the pregnant person.
Many countries also permit abortion on other specific grounds, such as when pregnancy results from rape or incest or in cases of certain fetal diagnoses.
Category V - Prohibited Altogether
111 Million
(6%) women of reproductive agelive in 21 countries that prohibit abortion altogether.
These are the most restrictive abortion laws in the world.
Category VI - Varies at State Level
111 million (6%) women of reproductive age live in 2 countries in which abortion laws vary at the state level.
34
23
12
20
6
6
Only two countries have abortion laws that significantly vary from state to state.
In overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court removed nationwide protections for abortion rights. Since then, some states have criminalized abortion while others have strengthened protections.
In 2021, the Mexican Supreme Court unanimously recognized a constitutional right to legal, safe, and free abortion services early in pregnancy. Since then, states across Mexico have been liberalizing their laws to reflect that right.
Restrictive abortion laws cause enormous harm:
- Around 39,000 deaths per year from unsafe abortions
- The loss of educational and economic opportunities
- The deepening of historical marginalization
Denial of abortion care is nothing short of a true human rights violation.
Human rights bodies have consistently condemned restrictive abortion laws and called for states and territories to decriminalize abortion and guarantee access to safe abortion services.
The Center for Reproductive Rights works in countries across the globe to ensure that pregnant people, not politicians, make decisions about pregnancies.
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The World's Abortion Laws
The definitive record of the legal status of abortion in countries and territories across the globe, updated in real time.
