Abortion policies and reproductive health around the world

The report on Abortion Policies and Reproductive Health Around the World provides up-to-date information on Government policies on abortion and related reproductive health issues for all 193 Member States, 2 Observer States and 2 non-member States of the United Nations. The report provides changes between 1996 and 2013 in legal grounds on which induced abortion is permitted in each country. Seven legal grounds for abortion are included, namely: (1) to save the life of a woman; (2) to preserve a woman’s physical health; (3) to preserve a woman’s mental health; (4) in case of rape or incest; (5) because of foetal impairment; (6) for economic or social reasons; and (7) on request. The report also includes latest available information on Government policies and programmes related to fertility, family planning, access to reproductive health services, and maternal mortality. In addition, the report provides information on how abortion policies are associated with selected reproductive health indicators.