Abortion

An abortion is a medical process undertaken to prevent the birth of a baby, with estimates indicating one in three women will have an abortion in their lifetime. There are many reasons why a woman might decide to have an abortion including:

  • personal circumstances;
  • a health risk to the mother; or
  • a high probability that the baby will have a medical condition.

Key findings for Lancashire

Abortion rate (2023)

  • In Lancashire-12 the total abortion rate[1] (24.9) is significantly higher than the England rate (23.4) and is exhibiting an upward trend that is in line with the England trend.
  • In Blackburn with Darwen (21.1) the total abortion rate is significantly lower than the England rate and in Blackpool (30.8) it is significantly higher than the England rate; in both Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool the trend shows no significant change.
  • In Lancashire-12 (90.0%) the percentage of abortions carried out at less than 10 weeks is significantly higher than the England rate (89.0%). In Blackburn with Darwen (89.0%) the percentage of abortions carried out at less than 10 weeks is similar to the England rate and in Blackpool (92.0%) it is significantly higher than the England rate. The earlier abortions are performed the lower the risk of complications. Prompt access to abortion, enabling provision earlier in pregnancy, is also cost-effective and an indicator of service quality.

[1] Rate of abortions per 1,000 female population aged 15-44

Under 25s repeat abortions (2023)

  • In Lancashire 12, for women aged under-25 years, 33.0% of abortions are to women who have undergone a previous abortion, this is significantly higher than the England rate (29.0%). This value is 29.0% for Blackburn with Darwen (similar to England) and 35.0% for Blackpool (significantly higher than England).

Under-18 abortions (2022)

  • In Lancashire-12 (59.5%) and in Blackpool (48.3%) the percentage of under-18s conceptions leading to abortion is similar to the England rate (58.2%). In Blackburn with Darwen (36.2%) the percentage of under-18s conceptions leading to abortion is significantly lower than the England rate. However, as Blackburn with Darwen's percentage of under-18s conceptions leading to abortion is based on a count of 17, this value has a warning to the user that its reliability as a measure may be affected by the small number of events.
  • According to the trend up to 2022, in Lancashire-12, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool the percentage of under-18s conceptions leading to abortion hasn't changed significantly.
  • In Lancashire-12 (8.7) the under-18s abortions rate (per 1,000 females aged 15-17 years) is similar to the England rate (7.8); in Blackburn with Darwen (5.6) and Blackpool (11.1) the under-18s abortion rate is similar to the England rate (2023).

For county and unitary data and further information please see below

Page updated March 2026