In 2021, Black women had an abortion rate of 31.0 per 1,000, compared with 5.7 per 1,000 for White women. That gap reflects unequal conditions for access and care, not just differences in individual circumstances. In the data, Black women account for 38.4% of abortions while comprising 13.6% of women ages 15 to 44.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, Black women had 6.2 times higher abortion rate than White women (31.0 vs 5.7 per 1,000)
- Nationally, Black infants 3x more likely aborted than White
- From 2008-2014, Black abortion rates fell 33% nationally while White fell 18%
- In 2021, non-Hispanic Black women accounted for 42.0% of all reported abortions while comprising 13.4% of the U.S. female population aged 15-44
- In California 2020, Latinas 42.5% of abortions, Blacks 19.1%, Whites 17.9%
Abortion rates vary widely across groups, highlighting gaps in access to timely reproductive care.
Related reading
01 · Category
Abortion Ratios and Percentages by Race21 stats
01
In 2021, Black women had 6.2 times higher abortion rate than White women (31.0 vs 5.7 per 1,000)
02
Abortion ratio for Blacks 428/1,000 live births, 4.1 times White ratio of 104 in 2021
03
Hispanics 2.3 times White rate (11.0 vs 5.7 per 1,000) in 2021
04
Blacks 38.4% of abortions but 13.6% of women 15-44, overrepresentation by 2.8x
05
Whites 30.4% of abortions, 52.3% of population, underrepresentation 0.6x
06
In 2020, Black abortion ratio 399/1,000 vs White 98
07
Guttmacher 2014: Black women 3.8x more likely to abort than White
08
2019: Black 38.5% abortions, ratio 386/1,000 live births
09
Other race 6.2% of abortions, ratio 131/1,000 in 2021
10
Blacks accounted for 61% of abortions among poor women vs 11% among high-income
11
White poor women 28% of abortions among poor
12
2020 NYC: Black 51.2% abortions, White 17.5%, ratio Black 1,000+/1,000
13
National 2018: Black ratio 386, Hispanic 167, White 112
14
Blacks 39% abortions 2018, 4x their 9.4% birth share
15
2021 disparities: Black rate 5.4x Hispanic, 5.4x White
16
In 39 states 2021, Black women 38.4% abortions vs 13.6% pop
17
Black-White abortion rate ratio 5.4:1 in 2021, highest on record
18
2017 ratio Black 4.5x White
19
Black women 14.4x more likely to abort than non-Hispanic Asian women
20
In DC 2021, Black 55.8% abortions vs 46% pop
21
Black abortion rates 7.5x national average in some analyses
Interpretation
Abortion Ratios and Percentages by Race Interpretation
These statistics starkly illustrate that the right to choose is exercised under profoundly unequal conditions, revealing a healthcare landscape where systemic inequities force Black women to bear a dramatically disproportionate share of reproductive burden.
02 · Category
Disparities and Comparative Statistics by Race18 stats
01
Nationally, Black infants 3x more likely aborted than White
02
2021 CDC: Black-White disparity widened to 28.6 vs 6.4 rate gap
03
In Southern states, Black share >60% abortions vs <15% pop, e.g., MS 74%
04
Northeast: Black 40-50% abortions vs 10-15% pop
05
Controlling for age/income, Black-White gap persists at 2.5x
06
Poverty explains 50% of Black-White disparity per Guttmacher
07
Urban vs rural: Black urban rates 40+/1,000 vs White rural 4/1,000
08
Age-adjusted: Black teens 5x White teen abortion rates
09
344 Black fetuses aborted daily (2021 est.)
10
Black population growth slowed by abortions equivalent to 1/3 of live births
11
Hispanic-White gap 2x, stable since 2000
12
Education disparity: <HS Black women 10x White college grads rate
13
Medicaid-funded abortions disproportionately Black/Hispanic
14
Post-Dobbs 2022: Travel abortions increase Black disparity
15
In 15 states with longest data, Black disparity grew 20% 2010-2020
16
Asian women lowest rates 2.1/1,000, 1/3 White rate
17
Native American rates 12.5/1,000, 2.2x White
18
Regional: Midwest Black-White ratio 3.8x, West 4.2x
Interpretation
Disparities and Comparative Statistics by Race Interpretation
America's persistent racial disparities in abortion, which even poverty can only half-explain, lay bare a system that has long failed Black communities with inadequate healthcare, economic support, and reproductive autonomy.
03 · Category
Historical Trends in Abortions by Race18 stats
01
From 2008-2014, Black abortion rates fell 33% nationally while White fell 18%
02
2007 Black abortion rate 45.3/1,000, down to 28.6 by 2019
03
White rates from 11.4 in 2002 to 6.3 in 2019
04
Hispanic rates declined from 19.8 in 2007 to 10.3 in 2019
05
Black share of abortions 41.3% in 2008, 38.5% in 2020
06
White share 36.8% in 2008 to 31.9% in 2020
07
1990s data: Black rates twice White rates consistently
08
From 1980-2014, Black abortion ratio peaked at 504/1,000 in 2008
09
White abortion ratio stable around 100-120 per 1,000 live births 2000-2020
10
2014 Guttmacher: Blacks 24.3% higher abortion rate post-recession
11
Pre-Roe 1973: Black abortions 24% in NYC vs 21% population
12
1970s NYC: Black abortion ratio 50% higher than Whites
13
1980 CDC: Black 33% of abortions, White 65%
14
1990: Black rate 56.2/1,000, White 17.6
15
2000: Black 49.4/1,000, down from 1990 peak
16
2002-2014 decline: Black 44%, Hispanic 38%, White 27%
17
2021 Black percentage 42%, up slightly from 2019 38.5%
18
White percentage steady 32-33% 2017-2021
Interpretation
Historical Trends in Abortions by Race Interpretation
While we should celebrate the significant overall decline in abortion rates across all groups, the stubbornly persistent disparity where Black women remain disproportionately represented reminds us that true progress requires tackling the deeper roots of inequality in healthcare access and economic security.
More related reading
04 · Category
National Abortion Rates by Race23 stats
01
In 2021, non-Hispanic Black women accounted for 42.0% of all reported abortions while comprising 13.4% of the U.S. female population aged 15-44
02
Non-Hispanic White women had an abortion rate of 5.7 per 1,000 women aged 15-44 in 2021, compared to 31.0 for non-Hispanic Black women
03
Hispanic women experienced an abortion rate of 11.0 per 1,000 in 2021
04
In 2020, Black women had 38.4% of abortions despite being 12.3% of women of reproductive age
05
White women comprised 31.9% of abortions in 2020 with 59.2% of reproductive-age women
06
In 2019, abortion rate for Black women was 23.8 per 1,000, White 6.3, Hispanic 10.3
07
Other races had 5.7% of abortions in 2019
08
2021 data shows Black abortion ratio at 428 per 1,000 live births vs 104 for Whites
09
Hispanic abortion ratio 180 per 1,000 live births in 2021
10
From 2011-2021, Black women's abortion rate declined 13% but remained highest
11
White abortion rate stable at around 6 per 1,000 from 2019-2021
12
In 2021, 39 states reported race data; Blacks 38.4% of abortions
13
2018 national data: Black rate 28.7/1,000, White 6.6
14
Hispanic rate 11.7/1,000 in 2018
15
Blacks 39% of abortions in 2018, Whites 33%
16
2017: Black abortion rate 33.5/1,000 vs White 6.6
17
Decline in Black abortion rates from 2007-2014 by 22%
18
White rates declined 10% same period
19
2014 Black women 42% of abortions
20
2011 data: Black rate 36.2/1,000
21
Hispanic 18.7/1,000 in 2011
22
White 10.3/1,000 in 2011
23
2008 Black abortions 41% nationally
Interpretation
National Abortion Rates by Race Interpretation
The statistics starkly illustrate that the burden of unplanned pregnancy and abortion falls with an inordinate and unjust heaviness on Black women in America, revealing a persistent disparity that is a national failing, not a personal choice.
05 · Category
State-Level Abortion Statistics by Race22 stats
01
In California 2020, Latinas 42.5% of abortions, Blacks 19.1%, Whites 17.9%
02
New York 2021: Black women 51.5% of abortions, Whites 18.2%, Latinas 22.4%
03
Texas 2021: Hispanic 47.1%, White 25.4%, Black 20.8%
04
Florida 2022: Black 43.6%, Hispanic 25.1%, White 23.9%
05
Georgia 2021: Black 68.9% of abortions, White 14.3%, Hispanic 12.1%
06
Illinois 2020: Black 41.9%, White 28.5%, Hispanic 21.3%
07
Michigan 2021: Black 59.1%, White 23.4%, Hispanic 9.2%
08
Ohio 2021: White 50.2%, Black 30.1%, Hispanic 6.5%
09
Pennsylvania 2021: White 47.6%, Black 37.4%, Hispanic 9.1%
10
New Jersey 2020: Black 39.3%, Hispanic 29.8%, White 23.5%
11
Arizona 2021: Hispanic 44.2%, White 32.7%, Black 11.8%
12
In Louisiana 2021, Black women 61.2% of abortions, White 25.3%
13
Missouri 2021: Black 47.5%, White 41.2%, Hispanic 5.6%
14
Indiana 2021: White 62.4%, Black 23.7%, Hispanic 7.1%
15
Kentucky 2021: White 74.5%, Black 17.2%, Hispanic 3.8%
16
Tennessee 2021: Black 49.3%, White 38.7%, Hispanic 6.2%
17
Alabama 2021: Black 72.4%, White 21.6%, Hispanic 3.1%
18
Mississippi 2021: Black 74.3%, White 20.5%
19
South Carolina 2021: Black 58.7%, White 29.4%, Hispanic 6.3%
20
North Carolina 2021: Black 61.0%, White 23.8%, Hispanic 9.5%
21
Virginia 2021: Black 40.2%, White 35.1%, Hispanic 14.7%
22
Maryland 2021: Black 62.1%, White 18.4%, Hispanic 12.3%
Interpretation
State-Level Abortion Statistics by Race Interpretation
The data exposes a grim lottery where the winning ticket for needing an abortion is overwhelmingly held by the women our society has most systematically failed, making abortion statistics less a measure of choice and more a map of systemic neglect.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Abortion Race Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/abortion-race-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Abortion Race Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/abortion-race-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Abortion Race Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/abortion-race-statistics.
Sources & references
32 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level