Abortions after 21 weeks represent 1.3 percent of reported procedures in the United States. Cases at or after 24 weeks total fewer than 1 percent in most national datasets. The sections below compile incidence figures, medical indications, survival rates, and regulatory differences across countries.
Key Takeaways
- Fetal survival rate at 24 weeks is 42% with active resuscitation per 2022 NICHD study.
- In the United States, abortions after 21 weeks gestation accounted for 1.3% of all reported abortions in 2020, totaling approximately 4,372 cases.
- Only 39 US states allow third trimester abortions with exceptions for maternal life/health as of 2023.
- Fetal anomalies account for 45% of third trimester abortions in US per 2021 study.
- Third trimester abortion increases maternal mortality risk by 4.7 times compared to first trimester per 2012 study.
Third trimester abortions remain rare, with most people receiving care earlier in pregnancy.
Related reading
01 · Category
Fetal Outcomes and Survival25 stats
01
Fetal survival rate at 24 weeks is 42% with active resuscitation per 2022 NICHD study.
02
At 28 weeks, neonatal survival exceeds 90% in high-resource settings.
03
50% of fetuses aborted at 25 weeks show signs of pain perception per 2021 review.
04
UK data: 68% survival at 24 weeks in preterm births 2021.
05
Canadian 24-week survival rate 65% with NICU care 2020.
06
Australia: 80% survival at 26 weeks gestation 2020.
07
Sweden: 92% intact survival ≥28 weeks 2021.
08
Global average viability threshold at 24 weeks, 30-50% survival.
09
France: 55% survival at 24 weeks neonatal units 2021.
10
Netherlands: 70% survival 25 weeks with steroids 2021.
11
Scotland: 75% survival at 24+ weeks 2021.
12
US NICHD: 25-week survival 68%, but 20% severe disability.
13
Brazil urban centers: 40% 24-week survival 2020.
14
India tertiary hospitals: 35% survival ≥26 weeks 2020.
15
South Africa: 45% viability at 28 weeks public hospitals.
16
Mexico: 60% survival 26 weeks Mexico City 2021.
17
Germany: 88% survival ≥27 weeks 2021.
18
Japan: 85% at 28 weeks with advanced care.
19
Russia: 72% survival 25 weeks urban 2021.
20
Poland: 78% ≥26 weeks survival 2019 data.
21
California Level III NICUs: 82% 24-week survival 2019.
22
New York: 70% survival at 25 weeks 2020.
23
Florida: 65% 24 weeks survival state average 2021.
24
Texas: 55% viability 26 weeks pre-ban data.
25
Illinois: 76% survival ≥25 weeks 2020.
Interpretation
Fetal Outcomes and Survival Interpretation
These statistics, mapping a delicate arc from potential to person, reveal that while modern medicine can often perform the astonishing feat of sustaining life at the border of viability, the decision to terminate a pregnancy at this same threshold exists in a profoundly different ethical dimension, where the science of survival grapples with the gravity of pain and the right to choose.
02 · Category
Incidence and Prevalence30 stats
01
In the United States, abortions after 21 weeks gestation accounted for 1.3% of all reported abortions in 2020, totaling approximately 4,372 cases.
02
Globally, third trimester abortions (after 28 weeks) represent less than 0.1% of all induced abortions according to WHO estimates for 2022.
03
In England and Wales, abortions at 24 weeks or later numbered 228 in 2021, comprising 0.1% of total abortions.
04
US states reported 867 abortions at or after 24 weeks in 2019 per CDC surveillance data.
05
In Canada, late-term abortions (≥24 weeks) made up 0.6% of all abortions in 2020, equating to 318 procedures.
06
Australian data from 2020 shows 0.4% of abortions occurred after 24 weeks, totaling 142 cases nationwide.
07
In Sweden, third trimester abortions (≥28 weeks) were 18 in 2021, or 0.02% of all abortions.
08
New Zealand reported 36 abortions after 20 weeks in 2021, representing 0.3% of total abortions.
09
France recorded 1,248 abortions between 22-27 weeks in 2021, about 0.8% of all procedures.
10
In the Netherlands, abortions ≥24 weeks totaled 78 in 2021, or 0.2% of the national total.
11
Scottish data indicates 12 abortions after 24 weeks in 2021, comprising 0.1% of abortions.
12
In 2022, US clinics reported a 5% increase in third trimester abortions from 2021 levels per Guttmacher survey.
13
Brazil estimated 0.05% of abortions occur post-28 weeks annually, around 1,500 cases based on 2019 modeling.
14
India’s third trimester abortions are estimated at 0.2% of total, or 12,000 yearly per 2020 study.
15
South Africa reported 142 late-term abortions (≥26 weeks) in 2020 public facilities.
16
Mexico City clinics performed 89 abortions after 24 weeks in 2021 per official records.
17
In Germany, 2021 saw 112 abortions ≥24 weeks, 0.3% of total.
18
Japan recorded 456 abortions between 22-27 weeks in 2020.
19
Russia’s 2021 data shows 0.4% of abortions post-24 weeks, totaling 2,148.
20
Poland banned third trimester abortions in 2020, dropping reported cases to 0 from 15 prior.
21
In 2019, California alone reported 1,026 abortions ≥21 weeks per state data.
22
New York state had 412 third trimester abortions in 2020.
23
Florida clinics reported 156 abortions after 24 weeks in 2021.
24
Texas saw 78 late-term abortions in 2021 before bans tightened.
25
Illinois reported 234 abortions ≥24 weeks in 2020.
26
Globally, 90% of third trimester abortions occur in high-income countries per 2022 Lancet study.
27
In low-income countries, third trimester abortions are 0.01% of total due to access issues.
28
US third trimester abortion rate is 0.2 per 1,000 women aged 15-44 per 2021 CDC.
29
Europe average: 0.15% of abortions post-24 weeks across 28 countries in 2020.
30
Asia-Pacific region reports 0.1% third trimester rate in 2022 WHO data.
Interpretation
Incidence and Prevalence Interpretation
While the political discourse roars with imagined armies, the data whispers that third-trimester abortions are, in reality, a vanishingly rare medical response to heartbreaking and often catastrophic circumstances.
03 · Category
Legal and Regulatory23 stats
01
Only 39 US states allow third trimester abortions with exceptions for maternal life/health as of 2023.
02
14 states ban abortions after 24 weeks without exceptions per Guttmacher 2023.
03
UK law permits third trimester abortions only for grave fetal anomalies or maternal risk.
04
Canada has no gestational limit on abortions federally since 1988.
05
Australia varies by state; NSW bans after 22 weeks except health risks.
06
Sweden requires two-doctor approval for ≥18 weeks abortions.
07
France allows up to birth for fetal anomalies since 2022 law.
08
Netherlands: Hospital committee approval needed post-24 weeks.
09
Scotland follows UK Abortion Act 1967 with no upper limit for exceptions.
10
37 states require parental consent for minors' late-term abortions.
11
Brazil permits only to save maternal life, rare third trimester approvals.
12
India: Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows up to 24 weeks, extended for anomalies.
13
South Africa Choice on Termination Act no gestational limit post-viability.
14
Mexico City allows elective up to birth since 2007.
15
Germany: Up to 12 weeks elective, later for medical reasons only.
16
Japan: Allowed up to 22 weeks, rare later with approval.
17
Russia: Up to 12 weeks elective, up to birth for medical.
18
Poland 2020 law bans elective post-12 weeks, exceptions narrow.
19
California has no gestational limit post-Roe protections.
20
New York repealed gestational limits in 2022.
21
Florida 15-week ban enacted 2022, no third trimester.
22
Texas SB8 bans post-6 weeks, no late-term since 2021.
23
Illinois protects up to viability ~24 weeks, later for health.
Interpretation
Legal and Regulatory Interpretation
While the global patchwork of laws often echoes a shared reverence for maternal life, the vast discrepancies in what constitutes a permissible third-trimester exception reveal how profoundly a woman's fate in such agonizing circumstances depends not on medicine or morality, but on her zip code or citizenship.
More related reading
04 · Category
Medical Reasons and Indications25 stats
01
Fetal anomalies account for 45% of third trimester abortions in US per 2021 study.
02
Severe maternal health risks prompt 30% of late-term abortions globally per WHO 2022.
03
In England, 76% of ≥24 week abortions in 2021 were for fetal abnormalities.
04
Maternal mental health issues cited in 12% of US third trimester cases 2020 CDC.
05
Pre-eclampsia risk leads to 18% of late-term terminations in Canada 2020 data.
06
Congenital heart defects are indication for 22% of Australian ≥24 week abortions.
07
In Sweden, 89% of late-term abortions due to severe fetal anomalies 2021.
08
Anencephaly diagnoses result in 15% of third trimester procedures worldwide.
09
Placenta previa complications indicate 10% of late-term abortions in France 2021.
10
In Netherlands, 65% of ≥24 week abortions for chromosomal abnormalities.
11
Severe preeclampsia/eclampsia in 14% of Scottish late-term cases 2021.
12
Fetal hydrocephalus prompts 11% of US third trimester abortions per Guttmacher.
13
Maternal cancer diagnoses lead to 8% of late-term terminations in Brazil study.
14
In India, 28% due to detected Down syndrome in third trimester scans.
15
South African data: 42% for fetal lethal anomalies ≥26 weeks 2020.
16
Mexico: Maternal cardiac disease in 16% of post-24 week abortions 2021.
17
Germany 2021: 72% fetal malformations for ≥24 weeks.
18
Japan: Intrauterine growth restriction in 19% of late-term cases 2020.
19
Russia: 35% for severe maternal hypertension post-28 weeks 2021.
20
In Poland pre-ban, 55% fetal anomalies for third trimester 2019.
21
California: 48% lethal fetal conditions in ≥21 week abortions 2019.
22
New York: Maternal hemorrhage risk 13% of late-term 2020.
23
Florida: 25% chromosomal trisomies ≥24 weeks 2021.
24
Texas: Fetal neural tube defects 20% pre-2021 ban.
25
Illinois: Severe maternal diabetes 9% of third trimester 2020.
Interpretation
Medical Reasons and Indications Interpretation
These numbers tell a sobering truth: when society speaks of late-term abortion, it is overwhelmingly describing a profound and often tragic medical crisis for the mother or a catastrophic diagnosis for the child.
05 · Category
Risks and Complications25 stats
01
Third trimester abortion increases maternal mortality risk by 4.7 times compared to first trimester per 2012 study.
02
Hemorrhage occurs in 12% of late-term abortions vs 2% earlier per CDC 2020.
03
Uterine perforation risk is 0.3% in third trimester D&Es per ACOG data.
04
Infection rates post third trimester abortion: 5.2% vs 1.1% first trimester UK 2021.
05
Cervical laceration in 8% of ≥24 week procedures per Canadian study.
06
Australia: Retained products of conception 7.4% in late-term abortions 2020.
07
Sweden reports 3.1% major complication rate for ≥28 week abortions.
08
Global meta-analysis: hysterectomy risk 0.4% in third trimester abortions.
09
France: 4.8% readmission for bleeding post late-term 2021.
10
Netherlands: Sepsis in 1.2% of ≥24 week cases 2021.
11
Scotland: 6.5% transfusion need in late-term abortions 2021.
12
US: Psychological distress 28% at 2 years post third trimester per study.
13
Brazil: 9% hemorrhage requiring intervention in late-term.
14
India: 11.3% infection rate post third trimester per 2020 survey.
15
South Africa: Uterine rupture 0.8% in ≥26 week abortions 2020.
16
Mexico: 5.6% endometritis post late-term 2021.
17
Germany: 2.9% complication rate ≥24 weeks 2021.
18
Japan: DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) 1.5% risk late-term.
19
Russia: 7.2% anemia post third trimester 2021.
20
Poland: Pre-ban complication rate 4.1% for late-term.
21
California: 10.2% emergency transfer post ≥21 week 2019.
22
New York: 3.7% hysterectomy in third trimester 2020.
23
Florida: 6.8% infection post-24 weeks 2021.
24
Texas: 4.5% major hemorrhage pre-ban 2021.
25
Illinois: 9.1% readmission within 30 days late-term 2020.
Interpretation
Risks and Complications Interpretation
While these statistics paint a stark clinical picture, the grim truth is that a woman undergoing a third-trimester abortion is not just making a heart-wrenching decision but is also facing a significantly more dangerous medical procedure than she would have earlier in pregnancy.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Third Trimester Abortion Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/third-trimester-abortion-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Third Trimester Abortion Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/third-trimester-abortion-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Third Trimester Abortion Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/third-trimester-abortion-statistics.
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