Mia Steupert, M.A.

This paper is an analysis of 2021 and 2022 abortion data published by state health departments, along with a discussion of recent estimates for 2023. Of the 34 states that reported abortion data for both 2021 and 2022 as of April 2024, there was a 4% overall decrease in the number of abortions.

Colorado’s 2023 abortion report was provided to Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) upon request in May 2024. The report shows that abortions increased from 2022.

Montana’s 2022 vital statistics report, which contains the state’s abortion data, was published by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services in May 2024. The report shows that Montana abortions decreased in 2022.

In 2023, there were 8,187 abortions reported in South Carolina, up 13% from the previous year.

South Dakota reported zero abortions in 2023 as of July 23, 2024.

Alaska released its 2023 abortion statistics online in February 2024. The report shows that abortions decreased from 2022.

This paper evaluates each state’s abortion reporting requirements and publicly accessible abortion reports (or lack thereof). It is an update to CLI’s 2016 survey of abortion reporting across the country, and analyzes state-wide, regional, and national trends that could inform public health officials and policymakers.

West Virginia’s 2023 abortion statistics by quarter were published throughout 2023 and into March 2024, showing that abortions in the Mountain State have decreased exponentially since 2022.

Indiana changed to quarterly reporting for 2023 and, as a result, this data represents the summation of the data in the quarterly reports. These reports showed that abortions in Indiana decreased significantly from 2022, likely due to the state’s life at conception law going back into effect in late August 2023.

This report compares gestational limits on abortion in the U.S. with limits in other countries and serves as an update to CLI's original 2014 study. Of 193 U.N. countries, the U.S. is one of eight countries that allows, at the federal level, abortion on demand without any gestational limits. The U.S. is also one of only 15 countries in the U.N. that permit abortion on demand past 15 weeks of gestation, meaning its abortion law is far more permissive than the vast majority of the world.