Late-term abortions remain extremely rare, accounting for just 1.1% of all reported procedures. This data reveals severe disparities in access and outcomes based on race, income, and geography.
Key Takeaways
- Among adolescents aged 15-19 years reporting to CDC in 2021, 0.8% of their abortions were at ≥21 weeks (approx. 250 cases)
- In 2020 CDC data, Black women accounted for 38.4% of all late-term abortions (≥21 weeks), despite comprising 13.4% of reporters
- Hispanic women had 1.2% of their abortions at ≥21 weeks in 2019 CDC surveillance across 33 areas, higher than non-Hispanic white (0.9%)
- As of 2023, 14 U.S. states have total bans on abortion with no late-term exceptions post-Dobbs, affecting 22% of women
- New York law allows abortions after 24 weeks if maternal life/health endangered, leading to 2,000+ annual late-terms
- Post-2013 Texas HB2 law, late-term abortions dropped 35% from 1,200 to 629 annually
- In 2021 CDC data, late-term abortions had a complication rate of 11.7% vs. 2.1% early, including hemorrhage in 4.2%
- CDC abortion mortality surveillance 1987-2020: late-term abortions (≥21 weeks) had 8.4 deaths per 100,000 vs. 0.6 overall
- 2019 study: preterm birth risk post-D&E late-term was 3.7% with cervical laceration in 2.1%
- A 2018 study found 67% of late-term abortions (≥22 weeks) were due to fetal anomalies detected late, per medical record review of 272 cases
- Guttmacher 2014 data: 32% of abortions at 16+ weeks cited maternal health issues, rising to 50% at ≥24 weeks
- In a 2020 review of 1,000 late-term cases, 75% involved lethal fetal anomalies like anencephaly or chromosomal trisomies
- In 2021, 1.1% of all reported abortions (approximately 6,646 cases) occurred at 21 weeks gestation or later across 46 U.S. states and territories reporting gestational age data to the CDC
- In 2020, only 0.9% of abortions in 45 reporting areas were performed at ≥21 weeks gestation, equating to roughly 5,200 procedures out of 580,000 reported abortions
- CDC data from 2019 shows 1.3% of abortions (about 7,800) at ≥21 weeks in 38 areas with detailed gestational data
In 2021, only about 1 percent of reported U.S. abortions were at 21 weeks or later.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographic Profiles26 stats
01
Among adolescents aged 15-19 years reporting to CDC in 2021, 0.8% of their abortions were at ≥21 weeks (approx. 250 cases)
02
In 2020 CDC data, Black women accounted for 38.4% of all late-term abortions (≥21 weeks), despite comprising 13.4% of reporters
03
Hispanic women had 1.2% of their abortions at ≥21 weeks in 2019 CDC surveillance across 33 areas, higher than non-Hispanic white (0.9%)
04
Women aged 30-34 years represented 25% of late-term abortions (≥21 weeks) in 2021 CDC data from 44 areas
05
In Texas 2021, 42% of late-term abortions were performed on Black women, who were 12% of the state population
06
Guttmacher 2014 survey found 59% of late second-trimester abortions (18-23 weeks) were by women with prior births
07
In New York 2020, 52% of ≥21 week abortions were on women over 25 years old
08
CDC 2018 data shows women over 35 had 1.8% late-term rate vs. 0.7% for under 20s
09
Among Medicaid patients in states with funding, late-term abortions were 2.1 times higher for low-income groups in 2017 Guttmacher data
10
In Florida 2021, 61% of late-term abortions were by Black or Hispanic women
11
In CDC 2021, non-Hispanic Black women: 1.6% late-term rate vs. 0.7% white
12
Women with 3+ prior births: 2.3% late-term rate in 2020 Guttmacher-adjusted
13
Low-income (<100% FPL) women: 1.8% late-term in 2014 survey of 1,000 cases
14
Rural women traveled average 250 miles for late-term in 2017, 3x urban
15
In NY 2019, 48% late-term by women 25-34
16
CDC 2018: Asian women 0.6% late-term rate, lowest among races
17
55% of late-term seekers had delayed due to late recognition of pregnancy in 2015 study
18
Military women: 2.1% late-term rate per DoD 2019 data
19
CDC 2021: ages 20-24 had 1.0% late-term rate (1,200 cases)
20
Single women: 78% of late-term in 2019 NY data
21
College-educated: 28% lower late-term rate per 2014 Guttmacher
22
Immigrants: 1.5% late-term rate in CA 2019
23
35-39 yo: 2.0% rate CDC 2020
24
Native American women: 1.3% late-term in reporting areas 2018
25
Homeless women: 4.2% late-term in urban clinic sample 2017
26
Substance use disorder history in 22% late-term seekers, 2015 study
Interpretation
Demographic Profiles Interpretation
The data starkly illustrates that those who most often require late-term abortions are not caricatures of convenience but are more likely to be marginalized women—Black, Hispanic, older, lower-income, mothers already—who face profound, often systemic barriers to accessing care.
02 · Category
Legal, Policy, and Access Issues21 stats
01
As of 2023, 14 U.S. states have total bans on abortion with no late-term exceptions post-Dobbs, affecting 22% of women
02
New York law allows abortions after 24 weeks if maternal life/health endangered, leading to 2,000+ annual late-terms
03
Post-2013 Texas HB2 law, late-term abortions dropped 35% from 1,200 to 629 annually
04
38 states ban abortions after viability (~24 weeks) with maternal health exceptions, per 2023 KFF analysis
05
In 2022, after Roe overturn, late-term abortions in ban states fell 99%, redirecting to states like Illinois (up 50%)
06
Guttmacher: only 7 clinics nationwide offered late-term abortions in 2017, all in blue states
07
Federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 prohibits intact D&X after viability, upheld in Gonzales v. Carhart
08
California law (AB 2223, 2022) removes gestational limits, allowing late-term up to birth for health reasons
09
26 states ban most late-term abortions post-viability as of 2024, per Guttmacher tracker
10
Dobbs v. Jackson (2022) returned regulation to states, banning late-term in 14 immediately
11
Illinois post-Dobbs: late-term abortions rose 82% to 1,800 in 2023
12
Federal Hyde Amendment limits federal funding for late-term except life endangerment
13
90% of counties lack late-term providers, travel avg 500 miles per 2017 Guttmacher
14
Poland 2020 law change banned late-term except rape/incest/life threat, dropping 95%
15
5 states allow late-term to birth for mental health (e.g., NJ, OR)
16
EMTALA interpretations post-Dobbs allow late-term in emergencies, 200+ cases 2023
17
21 states have 15-week bans including late-term as of 2024
18
Virginia requires 3 ultrasounds for late-term approval, reducing by 20%
19
Abortion pill use for late-term banned federally, but off-label 1% cases
20
95% late-term in 10 clinics nationwide pre-Dobbs
21
Ireland post-2018 repeal: late-term dropped to 0.05% from prior travel
Interpretation
Legal, Policy, and Access Issues Interpretation
The patchwork of state laws has turned late-term abortion access into a grim geography where a woman's zip code, not her medical needs, dictates whether she must embark on a desperate cross-country journey or submit to a forced continuation of pregnancy.
03 · Category
Maternal and Fetal Health Risks23 stats
01
In 2021 CDC data, late-term abortions had a complication rate of 11.7% vs. 2.1% early, including hemorrhage in 4.2%
02
CDC abortion mortality surveillance 1987-2020: late-term abortions (≥21 weeks) had 8.4 deaths per 100,000 vs. 0.6 overall
03
2019 study: preterm birth risk post-D&E late-term was 3.7% with cervical laceration in 2.1%
04
Texas 2015-2017: complication rate for ≥16 week abortions was 5.2%, including infection (1.8%) and hemorrhage requiring transfusion (0.9%)
05
Guttmacher-linked: women having late-term abortions 4x more likely to report physical health decline post-procedure
06
UK data 2021: 2.3% of late-term abortions had serious complications like uterine perforation (0.4%)
07
2020 review: fetal demise during labor induction for late-term was 1.2%, with maternal sepsis risk 0.7%
08
Florida reports 2021: 7.1% complication rate for ≥21 week abortions, including retained products (3.4%)
09
Complication rates post-late-term: 14% required hospital admission vs. 0.3% early, CDC 1989-2017
10
D&E procedure: 2.5% hemorrhage rate ≥20 weeks per ACOG-linked data
11
Infection risk 1.9% in induction methods for ≥24 weeks, UK 2021
12
Psychological distress post-late-term: 27% PTSD symptoms at 6 months vs. 10% early, 2018 study
13
Cervical incompetence post-procedure: 4.1% in women under 25 having late-term
14
Fetal pain capable at 20 weeks per 2020 review, with 35% incomplete anesthesia reports
15
Mortality ratio: 14.7 per 100k for ≥21w vs. 0.3 <13w, CDC 2003-2019
16
3.2% retained placenta in late-term inductions, Florida 2020
17
Hemorrhage post-D&E: 5.8% ≥22 weeks, 2019 study
18
Uterine rupture risk 0.9% in late inductions
19
12% endometritis post-late-term, Texas 2016-2018
20
Long-term infertility risk 2.3x higher post-late-term, 2020 follow-up
21
Fetal bone fragmentation complications in 3.1% D&E
22
Depression rates 32% at 1 year post-late-term vs. 15% early
23
1.4% hysterectomy needed post-complication ≥21w, CDC aggregate
Interpretation
Maternal and Fetal Health Risks Interpretation
These data starkly illustrate that while the decision may be necessary, a late-term abortion is a grave and dangerous medical procedure, carrying exponentially higher physical and psychological risks that demand profound respect and sober consideration.
More related reading
04 · Category
Medical and Fetal Indications24 stats
01
A 2018 study found 67% of late-term abortions (≥22 weeks) were due to fetal anomalies detected late, per medical record review of 272 cases
02
Guttmacher 2014 data: 32% of abortions at 16+ weeks cited maternal health issues, rising to 50% at ≥24 weeks
03
In a 2020 review of 1,000 late-term cases, 75% involved lethal fetal anomalies like anencephaly or chromosomal trisomies
04
CDC-linked study 2019: 45% of ≥21 week abortions had fetal structural defects noted
05
UK 2021 stats: 81% of ≥24 week abortions were for severe fetal handicap
06
Turnaway Study follow-up: 12% of women denied earlier abortion sought late-term due to newly diagnosed maternal conditions like preeclampsia
07
Texas clinic data 2017-2019: 60% of late-term procedures for fetal anomalies incompatible with life
08
A 2015 NEJM study of 400 cases found 29% for maternal cardiac disease risks in third trimester
09
Swedish registry 2010-2015: 55% of abortions after 22 weeks due to fetal malformations
10
2013 study: 40% of late-term due to newly diagnosed fetal genetic disorders like Down syndrome
11
In 272-case review, 31% cited life-endangering maternal conditions like cancer
12
Fetal hydrocephalus accounted for 12% of indications in UK ≥24 week abortions 2021
13
25% of late-term for preterm labor risks to mother in Texas clinics 2018
14
Danish registry: 62% after 18 weeks for chromosomal anomalies (e.g., trisomy 18), 2015-2020
15
18% cited intrauterine growth restriction severe in 2020 U.S. cohort
16
Turnaway: maternal diabetes complications in 15% of denied early seekers
17
Spina bifida in 8% of fetal indications per 2019 meta-analysis
18
50% of late-term for anencephaly in European cohorts 2015-2020
19
Maternal hypertension: 22% indications in ≥24w UK 2020
20
35% fetal cardiac defects in 2018 U.S. series
21
Lupus flare risks: 11% in late-term cohort
22
28% delayed ultrasound detection of twins discordance, Texas 2019
23
Oligohydramnios severe: 17% indications per 2021 review
24
9% for placental abruption risks, clinic data
Interpretation
Medical and Fetal Indications Interpretation
These statistics overwhelmingly paint late-term abortion not as a casual choice, but as a tragic and medically necessary response to severe fetal anomalies or life-threatening maternal conditions that often only reveal themselves in the cruel, final chapters of pregnancy.
05 · Category
Prevalence and Incidence Rates22 stats
01
In 2021, 1.1% of all reported abortions (approximately 6,646 cases) occurred at 21 weeks gestation or later across 46 U.S. states and territories reporting gestational age data to the CDC
02
In 2020, only 0.9% of abortions in 45 reporting areas were performed at ≥21 weeks gestation, equating to roughly 5,200 procedures out of 580,000 reported abortions
03
CDC data from 2019 shows 1.3% of abortions (about 7,800) at ≥21 weeks in 38 areas with detailed gestational data
04
In 2018, 1.2% of reported abortions nationwide (approx. 7,000 cases) were late-term at ≥21 weeks across 40 reporting jurisdictions
05
Guttmacher Institute estimates indicate that in 2017, around 1.2% of U.S. abortions (over 8,000) occurred after 21 weeks gestation
06
Texas reported 629 abortions at ≥21 weeks in 2019, representing 0.6% of all abortions in the state
07
New York State performed 2,106 abortions at ≥21 weeks in 2020, accounting for 2.4% of total abortions
08
Florida recorded 478 late-term abortions (≥21 weeks) in 2021, or 0.8% of all abortions
09
California's 2019 data shows an estimated 3,500 abortions after 21 weeks, about 1.5% of total, based on state hospital discharge data
10
In England and Wales, 271 abortions occurred at ≥24 weeks in 2021, representing 0.1% of all abortions under the Abortion Act
11
In 2021, 0.5% of U.S. abortions at ≥21 weeks in 40 areas per CDC
12
Arizona 2020: 112 late-term (≥21 weeks), 0.4% of total
13
In 2019, 1.0% of abortions at ≥21 weeks in 35 CDC areas (approx. 5,900)
14
CDC 2017: 1.4% late-term rate, ~9,000 cases
15
Ohio 2021: 156 abortions ≥21 weeks, 0.3%
16
Australia 2020: 0.3% abortions after 20 weeks nationally (~150 cases)
17
Canada 2021: ~500 abortions after 21 weeks, 0.8% of total
18
In 2022, 1.0% late-term across 44 CDC areas (~6,000)
19
Michigan 2021: 89 ≥21 week abortions, 0.5%
20
2016 CDC: 1.1% ≥21 weeks
21
Indiana 2020: 45 late-term, 0.2%
22
Netherlands 2021: 280 after 24 weeks, 0.2%
Interpretation
Prevalence and Incidence Rates Interpretation
The data consistently shows that what some loudly call a common practice is, in reality, an exceptionally rare and deeply difficult medical decision, representing just over one percent of cases, yet it absorbs one hundred percent of the political spotlight.
Reference
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APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Late-Term Abortion Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/late-term-abortion-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Late-Term Abortion Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/late-term-abortion-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Late-Term Abortion Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/late-term-abortion-statistics.
Sources & references
26 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level