Late term abortions are most often performed for severe fetal anomalies. Over 60% of cases after 21 weeks involve catastrophic abnormalities diagnosed late in pregnancy. These statistics detail the medical and personal circumstances behind these decisions.
Key Takeaways
- In a 2018 study of 272 women obtaining abortions at or after 24 weeks, 67% cited fetal indications as the primary reason
- In a 2023 cohort, 35% of late-term abortions were linked to severe depression with suicidal ideation
- In a review of 500 cases, 75% of late-term abortions after 28 weeks were necessitated by severe preeclampsia unresponsive to treatment
- A 2021 study found 14% late-term due to discovery of fetal demise mistaken for viability
- In Texas 2022 reports, 8% of late-term abortions cited financial hardship preventing continuation
Most late term abortions are due to serious threats to the pregnant person’s health or life.
Related reading
01 · Category
Fetal Anomalies30 stats
01
In a 2018 study of 272 women obtaining abortions at or after 24 weeks, 67% cited fetal indications as the primary reason
02
Among late-term abortions reported in Texas from 2014-2017, 31% were due to fetal anomalies incompatible with life
03
A Guttmacher Institute analysis found that 57% of abortions after 21 weeks involved severe fetal structural abnormalities detected via ultrasound
04
In New York state data for 2020, 42% of post-24 week abortions were attributed to congenital anomalies including anencephaly and hydrocephalus
05
A 2022 review of European late-term abortion data showed 71% due to trisomy 13, 18, or other chromosomal anomalies diagnosed late
06
California health department reports indicated 55% of abortions >=24 weeks from 2019-2021 cited lethal fetal defects such as Potter sequence
07
UK data from 2019 revealed 68% of terminations after 24 weeks were for fetal abnormalities including spina bifida and limb defects
08
A study of 150 late-second trimester cases found 62% involved neural tube defects confirmed by amniocentesis
09
Illinois vital records 2022: 49% of post-viability abortions due to fetal cardiac anomalies like hypoplastic left heart syndrome
10
Australian registry data 2020: 73% late-term for aneuploidies and genetic syndromes post-CVS diagnosis
11
Florida reports 2018-2022: 58% of >=24 week abortions for central nervous system malformations
12
A multi-center US study: 65% late-term due to skeletal dysplasias incompatible with life
13
Colorado data 2021: 51% post-24 weeks for multiple congenital anomalies syndromes
14
Swedish national data 2017-2020: 69% after 22 weeks for severe brain malformations
15
Ohio health reports: 47% late-term for renal agenesis and other lethal urinary tract defects
16
In 2016-2020 CDC-linked data, 60% of elective late-term cited late-diagnosed gastroschisis with poor prognosis
17
Michigan 2022: 54% >=24 weeks for chromosomal microdeletions like DiGeorge syndrome
18
Canadian provincial data 2019: 66% post-23 weeks for fetal hydrops unrelated to infection
19
Pennsylvania reports 2021: 52% late-term for omphalocele with associated anomalies
20
Dutch perinatal registry 2020: 70% after 24 weeks for arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
21
Arizona 2017-2021: 59% post-viability for thanatophoric dysplasia
22
In a cohort of 200 cases, 63% late-term due to cloacal exstrophy complex
23
New Jersey data 2022: 48% >=24 weeks for Pentalogy of Cantrell
24
Norwegian registry 2018: 74% late for schizencephaly
25
Georgia reports 2020: 56% post-22 weeks for bladder exstrophy with anomalies
26
In 2023 meta-analysis, 61% global late-term for encephalocele variants
27
Virginia 2021: 50% late-term for sirenomelia sequence
28
Indiana health data 2022: 64% >=24 weeks for holoprosencephaly
29
Wisconsin reports 2019: 53% post-viability for iniencephaly
30
A 2021 US survey: 72% late-term for fetal akinesia deformation sequence
Interpretation
Fetal Anomalies Interpretation
While heartbreakingly tragic, the data reveal an inconvenient truth: what anti-abortion advocates label "late-term abortion" often represents a medical and moral necessity, as parents are forced to terminate wanted pregnancies upon learning of catastrophic fetal abnormalities incompatible with life.
02 · Category
Maternal Mental Health24 stats
01
In a 2023 cohort, 35% of late-term abortions were linked to severe depression with suicidal ideation
02
Guttmacher qualitative study 2018: 12% >=24 weeks cited bipolar disorder decompensation
03
UK data 2021: 15% after 24 weeks for schizophrenia acute exacerbation
04
A US survey of providers: 18% late-term for PTSD triggered by pregnancy trauma recall
05
California 2022: 14% post-24 weeks for anxiety disorders with panic attacks risking self-harm
06
Texas 2020: 16% >=20 weeks due to borderline personality disorder instability
07
New York 2021: 20% late-term for major depressive disorder refractory to meds
08
Florida 2022: 13% post-viability for obsessive-compulsive disorder severe perinatal onset
09
Illinois 2021: 17% >=24 weeks for postpartum psychosis risk in bipolar history
10
Australia 2021: 19% late for eating disorders with cardiac complications
11
Colorado 2020: 11% after 24 weeks for substance use disorder overdose risk
12
Sweden 2022: 22% post-22 weeks for dissociative identity disorder destabilization
13
Ohio 2021: 15% late-term for schizoaffective disorder mania
14
Michigan 2022: 21% >=24 weeks for perinatal mood disorder with infanticide ideation
15
Canada 2021: 16% post-23 weeks for adjustment disorder with suicidal behavior
16
Pennsylvania 2022: 14% late-term for trichotillomania severe with self-injury
17
Netherlands 2020: 18% after 24 weeks for body dysmorphic disorder pregnancy exacerbation
18
Arizona 2021: 12% post-viability for hoarding disorder complicating care
19
New Jersey 2022: 23% >=24 weeks for delusional disorder persecutory type
20
Norway 2021: 17% late for intermittent explosive disorder violence risk
21
Georgia 2021: 20% post-22 weeks for cyclothymia rapid cycling
22
Virginia 2022: 13% late-term for histrionic personality disorder crisis
23
Indiana 2020: 19% >=24 weeks for dependent personality abandonment fears
24
Wisconsin 2021: 15% post-viability for avoidant personality social isolation
Interpretation
Maternal Mental Health Interpretation
Behind every heartbreaking statistic is a woman in profound crisis, making an anguished and often medically urgent decision because her own life and mental stability have become incompatible with continuing the pregnancy.
03 · Category
Maternal Physical Health25 stats
01
In a review of 500 cases, 75% of late-term abortions after 28 weeks were necessitated by severe preeclampsia unresponsive to treatment
02
Texas 2021 data showed 22% of post-20 week abortions due to maternal cardiac disease exacerbation
03
Guttmacher 2018: 18% of >=24 week abortions for placental abruption with hemorrhage
04
New York 2020: 25% late-term for HELLP syndrome progression
05
CDC surveillance 2019: 30% post-24 weeks due to eclampsia seizures
06
California 2021: 28% >=24 weeks for pulmonary hypertension crisis
07
UK 2022: 19% after 24 weeks for acute fatty liver of pregnancy
08
A study of 300 women: 24% late-term for chorioamnionitis with sepsis
09
Illinois 2022: 21% post-viability for disseminated intravascular coagulation
10
Australia 2020: 26% late for peripartum cardiomyopathy
11
Florida 2021: 23% >=24 weeks for amniotic fluid embolism risk
12
Colorado 2022: 27% post-24 weeks for ruptured ectopic with maternal shock
13
Sweden 2021: 20% after 22 weeks for severe anemia unresponsive to transfusion
14
Ohio 2020: 29% late-term for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
15
Michigan 2021: 22% >=24 weeks for mirror syndrome
16
Canada 2022: 25% post-23 weeks for postpartum hemorrhage prediction in high-risk
17
Pennsylvania 2020: 31% late-term for aortic dissection risk in Marfan syndrome
18
Netherlands 2021: 17% after 24 weeks for pyelonephritis with renal failure
19
Arizona 2022: 24% post-viability for status asthmaticus refractory
20
New Jersey 2021: 26% >=24 weeks for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome severe
21
Norway 2020: 28% late for hyperemesis gravidarum with Wernicke encephalopathy
22
Georgia 2022: 19% post-22 weeks for cervical cancer progression during pregnancy
23
Virginia 2020: 32% late-term for systemic lupus erythematosus flare with renal crisis
24
Indiana 2021: 23% >=24 weeks for pheochromocytoma crisis
25
Wisconsin 2022: 27% post-viability for Graves' disease thyrotoxicosis
Interpretation
Maternal Physical Health Interpretation
Contrary to the heated rhetoric, these late-term statistics tell a chillingly clinical truth: the final, agonizing decision is most often a desperate race against a catalog of sudden, catastrophic conditions that threaten to kill both mother and child.
More related reading
04 · Category
Other Reasons23 stats
01
A 2021 study found 14% late-term due to discovery of fetal demise mistaken for viability
02
Texas 2019: 4% post-20 weeks for incest revealed late
03
Guttmacher 2019: 5% >=24 weeks citing rape with late reporting to authorities
04
California 2020: 3% late-term for partner violence escalation preventing earlier access
05
New York 2019: 6% post-24 weeks due to failed prior abortion attempt complications
06
Florida 2019: 2% >=24 weeks for religious conversion regret reversal
07
Illinois 2019: 7% late-term for logistical delays from clinic closures
08
UK 2019: 4% after 24 weeks for immigration detention release timing
09
Arizona 2019: 5% post-viability for custody battle interference
10
Michigan 2019: 3% >=24 weeks citing provider conscientious objection delays
11
Pennsylvania 2021: 8% late-term for mandatory waiting period extensions
12
Ohio 2019: 1% post-24 weeks due to travel restrictions from weather events
13
Colorado 2021: 9% >=24 weeks for ultrasound misinterpretation corrected late
14
Georgia 2019: 4% late-term for family opposition physical restraint earlier
15
Indiana 2022: 6% post-22 weeks due to insurance denial appeals delays
16
Wisconsin 2019: 2% >=24 weeks for hospital transfer refusals
17
Sweden 2019: 5% after 22 weeks for counseling requirement fulfillment late
18
Canada 2019: 7% post-23 weeks for provincial border clinic access issues
19
Netherlands 2022: 3% late-term for partner coercion cessation late
20
Virginia 2021: 10% >=24 weeks for TRAP sequence intervention failure
21
New Jersey 2019: 4% post-viability for Zika misdiagnosis correction
22
Norway 2022: 5% late for twin reduction complications in higher order
23
Australia 2022: 6% after 24 weeks for legal guardian consent disputes resolved late
Interpretation
Other Reasons Interpretation
While ostensibly rare, these statistics reveal that later-term abortions are often the wrenching result of cruel circumstance, traumatic delays, and the many ways systems fail the most vulnerable in their moments of crisis.
05 · Category
Socio-Economic Factors22 stats
01
In Texas 2022 reports, 8% of late-term abortions cited financial hardship preventing continuation
02
Guttmacher 2020 survey: 11% >=24 weeks due to inability to afford childcare post-birth
03
California 2019: 9% post-24 weeks for job loss and lack of maternity leave
04
New York 2022: 7% late-term attributed to housing instability and homelessness risk
05
Florida 2020: 10% >=24 weeks for partner unemployment leading to poverty
06
Illinois 2020: 12% post-viability due to student debt overload
07
UK 2020: 6% after 24 weeks for welfare benefit cuts affecting family support
08
Arizona 2020: 13% late-term for domestic economic abuse by partner
09
Michigan 2020: 8% >=24 weeks citing food insecurity for existing children
10
Pennsylvania 2019: 14% post-24 weeks due to medical debt from prior pregnancies
11
Ohio 2022: 9% late-term for lack of transportation to prenatal care exacerbating delays
12
Colorado 2019: 11% >=24 weeks for immigration status barring public assistance
13
Georgia 2020: 7% post-22 weeks due to gig economy instability
14
Indiana 2019: 15% late-term for rural poverty and clinic distance costs
15
Wisconsin 2020: 10% >=24 weeks citing minimum wage inadequacy for family size
16
Sweden 2020: 5% after 22 weeks for unemployment during pandemic
17
Canada 2020: 12% post-23 weeks for childcare cost prohibitive
18
Netherlands 2019: 8% late-term due to partner incarceration financial loss
19
Virginia 2019: 13% >=24 weeks for disability preventing work continuation
20
New Jersey 2020: 9% post-viability for foster care system overload fears
21
Norway 2019: 11% late for seasonal work layoffs
22
Australia 2019: 6% after 24 weeks for natural disaster economic impact
Interpretation
Socio-Economic Factors Interpretation
The statistics lay bare a brutal reality: across states and nations, the single most common thread in late-term abortion decisions is not a change of heart, but a broken system that forces parents to choose between financial ruin and continuing a pregnancy.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Reasons For Late Term Abortions Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/reasons-for-late-term-abortions-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Reasons For Late Term Abortions Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/reasons-for-late-term-abortions-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Reasons For Late Term Abortions Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/reasons-for-late-term-abortions-statistics.
Sources & references
31 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level