In a study published this Wednesday, the Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (Drees) notes an increase in the use of voluntary interruption of pregnancy (IVG) in France in 2022. Last year, 234,300 abortions were registered.
If this figure is higher than that of the previous two years, historically low due to the health crisis, it is also higher than that of 2019, with around 7,000 more abortions registered.
“All indicators increase and return to a level comparable, or even higher, than before Covid-19,” Drees writes in a press release.
Increase among the elderly
This is the highest rate since 1990, with 16.2 abortions per 1,000 women in 2022, compared to 157.7 ‰ in 2019. According to Dress data, it is in the age group of 20 to 29 years where Abortions continue to be the most frequent, with a recourse rate of 26.9‰ for those aged 20 to 24 years and 28.6‰ for those aged 25 to 29 years.
In 2022, the number of abortions increases for all adult women while the rate for minors “remains at a level equivalent to 2020 and 2021, still lower than the 2019 figures as in previous years.”
Regional disparities
This increase is observed throughout the territory except for Guadeloupe. However, this report highlights important territorial disparities. The abortion rate is 15.7‰ in mainland France, compared to 30.7‰ in the overseas departments and regions.
“In mainland France, they vary from 11.6‰ in Pays de la Loire to 22.6‰ in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur,” explains Drees.
In the DROMs, rates range from 21.0‰ in Mayotte to 48.7‰ in Guyana.
Most used medicinal method.
“The number of abortions in the hospital sector continues to decline,” Drees observes. Since 2005, medical abortions (unlike instrumental abortions which are surgical interventions) have been authorized in the city, then in health centers and sexual health centers.
In 2022, more than one abortion in three (38%) will take place outside of health facilities. Furthermore, the medicinal method is the most used, even in healthcare establishments. It represents 78% of all abortions in total, and 62% of those performed in health facilities.
Extension of the legal term
In France, since March 2022 it has been possible to terminate a pregnancy before the end of the 14th week of pregnancy (previously, the legal deadline was set before the end of the 12th week of pregnancy).
However, Drees doesn’t believe last year’s increase is solely due to this law change. “These so-called late abortions (…) represent less than a fifth of the observed surplus,” explains the organization. In fact, the proportion of late abortions affected by the extension of the legal deadline for recourse to abortion is less than 1.5% of all abortions performed in France.
Source: BFM TV
