Record-setting number of abortions in Ireland reaches almost 11,000 in 2024
In Ireland, the number of abortions has been on the rise since the landmark referendum in 2018 that repealed the constitutional ban on abortion. The latest figures, published in 2024, reveal that 10,852 abortions were performed in the country, marking the highest number since the law changed.
Eilís Mulroy, spokesperson of the Irish pro-life group PLC, found the figures "truly horrifying." Ciarán Kelly, director of the Christian Institute, considered the death of nearly 11,000 unborn lives as a tragedy, while Dawn McAvoy, leader of the pro-life and pro-women movement of the UK Evangelical Alliance (EAUK), described the current situation as "abandonment."
The increase in the number of abortions can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the legalization and access to abortion services within Ireland have improved significantly. The 2018 referendum allowed abortion on request up to 12 weeks and under specific circumstances thereafter, leading to a rise in women accessing services domestically rather than traveling abroad.
Secondly, the development of comprehensive abortion care pathways, including hospitals and clinics, has made services more accessible and reduced the stigma associated with abortion. Improved availability and reduced stigma encourage more women to seek timely abortion services.
Thirdly, greater public awareness about the legal change and shifting societal attitudes towards reproductive rights have contributed to the increased utilization of abortion services.
Fourthly, complex social and economic factors likely play a role in the rise of abortions. Although specific Irish-specific data is limited, international research suggests that abortion rates often reflect broader issues such as economic insecurity, relationship problems, and contraception access, which likely apply in Ireland post-legalization.
It is worth noting that England and Wales have recently voted to decriminalize abortion at any stage of pregnancy, while Ireland's government shows no signs of addressing the increasing number of abortions. The data released by the Department of Health in 2024 is not yet complete, so the actual figure may be higher.
One concerning statistic is that one in six pregnancies in Ireland now ends in abortion. Additionally, approximately 240 women travel from Ireland to the UK annually to access abortion care.
Abortion is not considered healthcare by Dawn McAvoy, leader of Both Lives UK. In Ireland, abortion is permitted up to the first 24 weeks of a pregnancy. The highest number of terminations in 2024 were recorded in January (1,056), while the lowest number were recorded in February (820).
These trends align with commonly observed trends after abortion law liberalization in other countries and preliminary Irish evidence. For more authoritative recent trends and deeper factors, official reports from the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) or academic studies published since 2018 would be definitive sources.
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- The rise in abortions in Ireland might also be linked to ongoing discussions and policies related to health-and-wellness, mental-health, and women's health, as these concerns are often intertwined with reproductive rights.
- Given the increase in abortions, it is vital that policy-and-legislation and politics address the issue, ensuring adequate mental-healthcare for those contemplating the decision, and comprehensive women's-health services for those choosing to seek abortion.
- In light of the high number of abortions in Ireland, debates on war-and-conflicts seem distant, but it is essential to consider that women's reproductive rights can be affected during and after periods of conflict, necessitating comprehensive policy changes.
- General-news reports have shown that awareness of reproductive rights has become more widespread, and with this increasing awareness, comes the responsibility to advocate for responsible policy decisions toward mental-health, women's-health, and reproductive rights.
