Who Is Having Abortions?

In 2016, there were 38,382 reported abortions in Illinois. The number of abortions peaked in 1977, while in 2016, the number of abortions in Illinois reached the lowest level since the legalization of abortion in 1973. As of 2014, Illinois ranks #10 in the country for its abortion rate (the highest rate being #1). In Illinois in 2016, there were 212.1 abortions for every 1000 live births.

Mothers, Especially Single Mothers

In the U.S., as of 2014, 59% of abortion patients already have at least one child, 86% are unmarried, and 75% were economically disadvantaged, according to the Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of Planned Parenthood.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, the number one reason (74%) that women give for seeking abortion is because a child would interfere with their education, employment, or other responsibilities (like other children). The other most common reasons women gave for having an abortion is because they were unmarried or didn’t want to be a single mom; they were unemployed and/or didn’t have the financial resources to care for the child. Other reasons include not feeling mature enough to care for a child, and the father of the child wants her to have an abortion.

Less than 1% of women have an abortion because of a rape.

Less than .05% of women have an abortion because of incest.

Racial Breakdowns

Although African American people and Hispanic people make up  12.6% and 16% of the U.S. population respectively, they account for 30% and 25% of abortions every year.

Women in their 20’s

Although much debate focuses on teen pregnancies, teenagers (19 and under) account for approximately 9.5% of Illinois abortions. Over 59.2% of abortions in Illinois in 2016, were on women in their 20’s. Nationally, women in their 20’s account for 60% of abortions.

Abortions on minor girls dropped 20% in 2013, following the enforcement of the Illinois Parental Notification Law. In 2016, abortions on minor girls (17 and under) accounted for less than 3.4% of abortions in Illinois.

The number of abortions performed on girls 14 years old and younger dropped 31.6% in 2013. In 2016, abortions on minor girls 14 years old and younger increased slightly, accounting for 104 abortions (.32% of the total).

Women Who Have Already Had Abortions

45% of American abortion patients in 2014 had already had at least one abortion.

Low Income Women

In the U.S., 75% of abortion patients in 2014 were either poor or low income.