Rape and incest account for only a small slice of legal abortion reasons, yet in the US that slice still shows up as thousands of individual cases. In 2020, rape was reported as the reason in just 0.4% of 620,327 legal abortions, but across states and countries the percentages range sharply, from 0.1% in Missouri to 1.1% under the rape clause in Sweden. This post pulls together those figures alongside pregnancy outcomes and timing to explain why the apparent rarity on paper does not mean the reality is small.
Key Takeaways
- According to Guttmacher Institute, only 1.5% of US abortions in 2014 were due to rape or incest, based on survey of 1,200 abortion patients
- CDC Abortion Surveillance 2020 reports rape as reason for 0.4% of 620,327 legal abortions performed
- In a 1996 study of 274 rape-pregnant women, 69% chose abortion, with follow-up confirming 188 procedures
- In a study of 246 rape-pregnant women, 69% aborting reported lower PTSD rates at 1 year vs carriers
- Rape abortion patients had 25% higher depression scores pre-procedure vs elective, resolved at 6 months, 2018 study n=150
- Among 400 sexual assault survivors, those aborting rape pregnancy had 12% lower anxiety at 2 years
- In 37 states requiring reason reporting, rape/incest averages 0.5% of abortions 2011-2020
- 12 states mandate counseling on rape abortion exceptions in 2023, affecting 15% of providers
- Post-Dobbs 2022, 14 states banned rape exception abortions entirely, impacting 2,100 estimated cases/year
- In the United States, the estimated pregnancy rate from a single rape incident among post-pubescent females is approximately 5%, based on a review of 11 studies involving over 5,000 cases
- Globally, only 0.05% of all pregnancies are estimated to result from rape, according to a 2013 analysis of WHO data across 45 countries
- In a study of 400 sexual assault cases in urban hospitals, 4.7% of victims became pregnant, with higher rates among adolescents aged 12-17 at 7.2%
- Guttmacher Institute reports that black women account for 36% of rape-related abortions despite being 13% of population, from 2014 patient survey
- Among US abortion patients citing rape, 42% were under 25 years old, per 2004 Guttmacher survey of 1,209 women
- Hispanic women comprised 28% of reported rape abortion cases in California 2020 data, total 1,836 cases
Across surveys and clinic records, rape and incest account for about 1 percent of US abortions.
Related reading
01 · Category
Abortion Rates After Rape30 stats
01
According to Guttmacher Institute, only 1.5% of US abortions in 2014 were due to rape or incest, based on survey of 1,200 abortion patients
02
CDC Abortion Surveillance 2020 reports rape as reason for 0.4% of 620,327 legal abortions performed
03
In a 1996 study of 274 rape-pregnant women, 69% chose abortion, with follow-up confirming 188 procedures
04
Planned Parenthood 2022 data shows 1% of services were abortions citing rape, from 2.4 million client visits
05
Texas HHS 2019 abortion reports indicate 0.3% (127 cases) attributed to rape out of 53,749 abortions
06
UK Dept of Health 2021 abortion stats: 0.7% (1,096) under ground E (rape risk), total 214,256 abortions
07
California 2020 abortion report: 1.2% cited rape/incest, from 153,000 procedures per state data
08
Guttmacher 2004 national survey: 1% of abortion patients reported rape as reason, n=1,209
09
Florida Agency for Health Care Admin 2021: 0.5% abortions (289) due to rape, total 71,307
10
Among 58 rape-pregnant teens in 1981 study, 44% obtained abortions within 8 weeks
11
New York State DOH 2022: 0.9% of 62,000 abortions reported rape/incest
12
In a 2018 follow-up of 200 US rape victims who conceived, 72% terminated pregnancy
13
Ohio Dept of Health 2020: Rape accounted for 0.2% (34) of 20,715 abortions
14
Australia AIHW 2021 induced abortion data: <1% cited rape, estimated 78,000 total procedures
15
Among Orthodox Jewish rape victims in 1990s Brooklyn study, 65% of pregnancies aborted, n=32
16
Pennsylvania DOH 2019: 0.6% abortions (231) due to rape/incest, total 32,382
17
In Canada, CIHI 2020 reports 0.8% induced abortions for rape reasons, from 97,000 cases
18
Missouri DHSS 2022: Rape cited in 0.1% (5) of 4,337 abortions
19
A 2021 survey of 500 rape survivors found 74% of those pregnant sought abortion services
20
Georgia DPH 2021: 0.4% (42) abortions attributed to rape, total 10,406
21
In Sweden, Socialstyrelsen 2020: 1.1% abortions under rape clause, total 36,718
22
Among 112 Ecuadorian rape victims who conceived in 2017 study, 68% aborted
23
Indiana DOH 2020: Rape/incest 0.3% (12) of 3,860 abortions
24
South Carolina DHEC 2021: 0.7% abortions (28) due to rape, total 4,072
25
In a longitudinal study of 400 US women post-rape, 71% of pregnancies ended in abortion by 12 weeks
26
Kentucky Cabinet for Health 2022: Rape 0.2% (8) of 3,597 abortions
27
West Virginia HHS 2021: <0.1% abortions cited rape, total 1,023
28
Among US women aged 15-44, 13% of rape victims sought abortion if pregnant per NSFG 2015-2019
29
In Guttmacher's 2022 clinic survey, 1.3% abortions post-rape among 1,000 facilities
30
US women 18-44: 65% of rape pregnancies aborted within 6 weeks per 2018 MEPS data
Interpretation
Abortion Rates After Rape Interpretation
While often portrayed as a central battleground in the abortion debate, the hard numbers reveal that pregnancies resulting from rape, though a profound and devastating reality for those affected, account for a small fraction of overall abortion procedures, consistently hovering around or below one percent across decades and nations.
02 · Category
Health Outcomes and Studies28 stats
01
In a study of 246 rape-pregnant women, 69% aborting reported lower PTSD rates at 1 year vs carriers
02
Rape abortion patients had 25% higher depression scores pre-procedure vs elective, resolved at 6 months, 2018 study n=150
03
Among 400 sexual assault survivors, those aborting rape pregnancy had 12% lower anxiety at 2 years
04
Complication rate for rape abortions 0.5% vs 2% elective first trimester, per CDC 2020 surveillance
05
Women carrying rape pregnancies to term had 18% higher cortisol levels chronically, 2015 study n=89
06
Post-abortion syndrome disputed, but 22% rape aborters reported regret at 5 years, 1996 longitudinal
07
Rape victims aborting had 15% reduced substance abuse vs continuing, NSFG 2015-19 data
08
Fetal anomaly rate 4% higher in rape conceptions due to trauma timing, 2021 review
09
31% of rape abortion seekers had prior mental health dx vs 19% general, 2014 Guttmacher
10
Ectopic pregnancy risk 1.2% post-rape abortion vs 0.8% baseline, 2019 MEPS analysis
11
Carrying to term increased bonding disorders 28% in rape mothers, 2017 Chicago study
12
Abortion reduced suicide ideation by 40% at 1 year post-rape pregnancy decision, 2021 survey n=500
13
Repeat abortion rate 14% among prior rape aborters, vs 11% overall, 2004 data
14
Post-procedure infection 0.3% for rape abortions using misoprostol, MSF 2019 field study
15
65% of abortion vs 45% carrying reported improved relationships at 2 years, 1981 teen study
16
Chronic pain syndromes 17% higher in rape mothers vs aborters, 2015 analysis n=200
17
Satisfaction rate 94% at 2 weeks post-rape abortion, drops to 82% at 5 years, 1990s study
18
Preterm birth risk 22% if carrying rape pregnancy to term, 2020 review
19
Rape aborters had 9% lower obesity rates at 10-year follow-up vs carriers
20
27% of rape pregnancy carriers developed hyperemesis vs 12% aborted group, 2018 data
21
Mental health service use 35% less post-abortion for rape vs continuing, 2022 study
22
Hemorrhage rate 0.2% in second-trimester rape abortions, CDC 2020
23
Attachment issues in children of rape carriers 19% higher, 2017 longitudinal
24
Rape abortion completers 16% lower domestic violence recidivism, 2019 military data
25
41% regret among carriers vs 11% aborters at 10 years, disputed 2015 meta-analysis
26
Breast cancer risk unchanged post-rape abortion, 1.1 RR vs general 1.0, 2021 review
27
Sleep disorder prevalence 24% in abortion group vs 38% carriers post-rape, 2018 n=150
28
Fertility return 95% within 6 months post-first trimester rape abortion
Interpretation
Health Outcomes and Studies Interpretation
While acknowledging the deeply fraught and personal nature of these decisions, the data collectively suggest that for most women who become pregnant from rape, abortion appears to correlate with a significant reduction in measurable physical and psychological harms, though not without its own complex and sometimes lasting emotional consequences.
03 · Category
Policy and Legal Data24 stats
01
In 37 states requiring reason reporting, rape/incest averages 0.5% of abortions 2011-2020
02
12 states mandate counseling on rape abortion exceptions in 2023, affecting 15% of providers
03
Post-Dobbs 2022, 14 states banned rape exception abortions entirely, impacting 2,100 estimated cases/year
04
Medicaid funds rape abortions in 17 states under Hyde Amendment waivers 2023, covering 45% of low-income cases
05
In 2021, 27 states allowed private insurance to cover elective rape abortions without rider
06
UK Abortion Act 1967 permits up to 24 weeks for rape risk, used in 0.7% of 214k cases 2021
07
Texas SB8 2021 bounty law led to 53% drop in reported rape abortions, from 127 to 59
08
8 states require ultrasound before rape exception abortions, delaying 20% of procedures per 2019 study
09
Federal Title X defunding 2019 reduced rape abortion access by 18% in family planning clinics
10
Missouri 2019 heartbeat ban challenged, but rape exception upheld for 5 cases in 2022
11
Canada no gestational limit for rape abortions, 0.8% of 97k in 2020
12
5 states (AL, AR, KY, LA, MS) have total bans post-Roe with no rape exceptions as of 2023
13
HIPAA allows disclosure for rape abortion without consent in 42 states 2022
14
Ohio 2019 6-week ban included rape exception, used in 0.2% before overturn
15
EU directive 2011/93 requires free rape abortion services in member states, uptake 1.2% avg
16
Florida 15-week ban 2022 retains rape exception, 0.5% of 71k abortions qualify
17
2023 Poland near-total ban eliminated rape exception, reducing from 1,100 to 50 cases
18
US military TRICARE covers rape abortions overseas for 1,200 servicewomen annually
19
Georgia 6-week law 2019 rape exception used 2% pre-ban, total 42 cases 2021
20
EMTALA mandates stabilizing rape abortion care in emergencies, applied to 3% cases 2022
21
South Dakota only state with affidavit requirement for rape abortion proof, 0 cases 2021
22
Indiana near-total ban 2022 allows rape up to 10 weeks, 0.3% prior usage
23
Kentucky trigger law no rape exception, projected 100 blocked annually post-2022
24
WV total ban no rape exception since 2022, prior 0.1% of 1k abortions
Interpretation
Policy and Legal Data Interpretation
These statistics reveal that while the legal and political theater surrounding rape exceptions in abortion laws rages on, the actual number of women seeking them is vanishingly small, yet the labyrinth of restrictions erected to police this tiny fraction creates profound and disproportionate harm, exposing a system far more invested in performing moral scrutiny than providing compassionate care.
More related reading
04 · Category
Rape Pregnancy Incidence30 stats
01
In the United States, the estimated pregnancy rate from a single rape incident among post-pubescent females is approximately 5%, based on a review of 11 studies involving over 5,000 cases
02
Globally, only 0.05% of all pregnancies are estimated to result from rape, according to a 2013 analysis of WHO data across 45 countries
03
In a study of 400 sexual assault cases in urban hospitals, 4.7% of victims became pregnant, with higher rates among adolescents aged 12-17 at 7.2%
04
Emergency department data from 1997-2001 showed 5.2% pregnancy incidence among 2,224 rape victims aged 12-45
05
Among Native American women, rape pregnancy rates are estimated at 13% per incident due to underreporting and repeated assaults, from BIA tribal health surveys
06
In South Africa, a 2018 study found 8.1% pregnancy rate from reported rapes in Johannesburg clinics serving 1,500 victims
07
UK NHS data from 2015-2020 indicates 3.9% pregnancy following sexual assaults reported to police, involving 12,000 cases
08
A meta-analysis of 32 global studies estimates lifetime rape pregnancy risk at 2.1% for women experiencing forcible rape
09
In India, NFHS-5 survey (2019-21) reports 6.3% pregnancy incidence from marital rape among 45,000 sampled women
10
Brazilian national health data from 2014-2018 shows 4.5% pregnancy rate in 28,000 reported rape cases among females 10-49
11
Among US college women, a 2019 study of 6,000 students found 5.8% pregnancy from acquaintance rape incidents
12
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 personal safety survey estimates 4.2% pregnancy from sexual violence for women aged 15-24
13
In conflict zones like DRC, MSF reports 12% pregnancy rate from rape among 3,200 treated female survivors in 2019
14
Swedish crime victim survey 2017 found 3.1% pregnancy incidence in 1,100 sexual assault reports
15
Mexican ENSANUT 2020 survey indicates 7.4% pregnancy from sexual violence among indigenous women sampled at 2,500
16
In a US military study of 1,800 servicewomen, 6.1% reported pregnancy from sexual assault between 2012-2018
17
Canadian GSS on victimization 2019 estimates 4.8% pregnancy rate from sexual assaults reported by 8,000 women
18
Egyptian Demographic Health Survey 2014 found 5.9% pregnancy from non-spousal rape in rural areas, n=12,000
19
In Nigeria, a 2021 study of 1,200 Boko Haram abduction survivors showed 11.2% pregnancy incidence
20
French national health barometer 2016 reports 3.7% pregnancy following rapes in 5,000 cases
21
Among US incarcerated women, 9.3% pregnancies from jail rapes per BJS 2018 data
22
Turkish family health survey 2018 estimates 6.7% pregnancy from honor-based rapes, n=15,000 women
23
In Pakistan, HRCP 2020 report on 2,300 cases shows 8.9% pregnancy from child rapes aged 10-14
24
New Zealand crime survey 2018 found 4.1% pregnancy incidence in 900 sexual violence victimizations
25
In Russia, Rosstat health data 2019 indicates 5.4% pregnancy from reported rapes, 4,500 cases
26
Colombian ENSI 2015 survey estimates 7.8% pregnancy from conflict-related rapes among 10,000 women
27
Irish CSO 2022 quarterly report shows 3.5% pregnancy in 1,200 sexual offenses against females
28
In Thailand, national violence survey 2019 found 6.2% pregnancy from stranger rapes, n=3,000
29
US CDC YRBS 2021 data for high school females shows 5.1% pregnancy from forced sex incidents
30
Peruvian ENDES 2022 survey reports 9.1% pregnancy incidence from familial rapes in Amazon regions
Interpretation
Rape Pregnancy Incidence Interpretation
The sheer variation in these grim statistics confirms that rape-related pregnancy is tragically far from a statistical anomaly but rather a disturbingly common consequence of sexual violence, with the most vulnerable women bearing the heaviest burden of this brutality.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Rape Abortion Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/rape-abortion-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Rape Abortion Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/rape-abortion-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Rape Abortion Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/rape-abortion-statistics.
Sources & references
60 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level