District of Columbia Abortion Statistics
State abortion statistics from the leading public and private sources.
Collective state abortion statistics are gathered privately by the Guttmacher Institute and federally by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Because of reporting lag, their most recent data is generally 2-3 years old. In most cases, state-level abortion facts are more current than the numbers reported by Guttmacher or the CDC. Guttmacher’s abortion statistics are estimates built on surveys of all known and suspected abortion providers. For 2014, 58% of queried providers responded to their information request. Abortion totals were estimated for the 42% of abortion providers who did not respond.
To learn more, visit: Prenatal Development, Abortion Procedures or Abortion Pictures
To read abortion stories from the District of Columbia, visit: Abortion Stories (District of Columbia)
CDC DATA
Total Abortions (2014): 2,790
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 2,790 abortions took place in the District of Columbia during 2014. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on District of Columbia residents in other states. The table below compares District of Columbia abortion totals by year.
| 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,790 | 2,561 | 2,615 | 2,768 | 2,896 | 2,596 | 2,553 | 2,369 | 2,692 | 2,518 |
| 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,790 | 2,561 | 2,615 | 2,768 | 2,896 |
| 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,596 | 2,553 | 2,369 | 2,692 | 2,518 |
Abortion Percentage (2014): 22.7%
In 2014, 22.7% of pregnancies in the District of Columbia ended in abortion. This number does not take into account miscarriages. It was arrived at by dividing the state abortion ratio by the sum of the abortion ratio plus 1,000. The abortion ratio is the number of abortions that occurred per 1,000 lives births. The table below compares District of Columbia abortion percentages by year.
| 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 22.7% | 21.6% | 22% | 23% | 24% | 22% | 22% | 21% | 24% | 24% |
| United States* | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 22.7% | 21.6% | 22% | 23% | 24% |
| United States* | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% | 19% |
| 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 22% | 22% | 21% | 24% | 24% |
| United States* | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
Out-of-State Abortion Percentage (2011): 55.6%
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 55.6% of the abortions that took place in the District of Columbia were performed on out-of-state residents.
*U.S. averages are limited to reporting districts.
GUTTMACHER DATA
Estimated Total Abortions (2014): 5,820
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 5,820 abortions took place in the District of Columbia during 2014. In 2011, an estimated 4,750 abortions occured—compared with an estimated 4,450 in 2008 and 7,230 in 2005.
Estimated Abortion Percentage (2014): 38%
In 2014, an estimated 38% of pregnancies in the District of Columbia ended in abortion. This number does not take into account miscarriages. It was arrived at by dividing Guttmacher's abortion estimate by the sum total of live births (9,509)—as reported by the CDC—and estimated abortions.
Estimated Abortion Rate* (2014): 32.7
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2014 abortion rate for the District of Columbia was 32.7. In 2011, the abortion rate in the District of Columbia was 28.5. It was 29.9 in 2008, 54.2 in 2005, and 68.1 in 2000. The 2014 abortion rate across the entire United States was 14.6.
*The abortion rate is the number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years.
Percentage of All U.S. Abortions (2014): 0.6%
In 2014, approximately 0.6% of all U.S. abortions occurred in the District of Columbia.
Facilities That Perform Abortions (2014): 9
In 2014, the Guttmacher Institute reports that there were 9 abortion providers in the District of Columbia. There were 9 providers in 2011, 8 providers in 2008, 12 providers in 2005, and 15 providers in 2000.
State Abortion Restrictions (2016):
- Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
SOURCE: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-district_of_columbia
