Louisiana 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 Louisiana, visit: Abortion Stories (Louisiana)
STATE-LEVEL DATA
Total Abortions (2017): 8,706
The Louisiana Department of Health reports that 8,706 abortions took place in Louisiana during 2017. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Louisiana residents in other states.
Total Abortions (2016): 8,973
The Louisiana Department of Health reports that 8,973 abortions took place in Louisiana during 2016. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Louisiana residents in other states.
SOURCE: Louisiana Department of Health
CDC DATA
Total Abortions (2015): 9,362
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 9,362 abortions took place in Louisiana during 2015. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Louisiana residents in other states. The table below compares Louisiana abortion totals by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,362 | 10,332 | 9,977 | 9,225 | 8,955 | 8,872 | 8,167 | 6,816 | 6,833 | NR |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,362 | 10,332 | 9,977 | 9,225 | 8,955 |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,872 | 8,167 | 6,816 | 6,833 | NR |
Abortion Percentage (2015): 12.7%
In 2015, 12.7% of pregnancies in Louisiana 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 Louisiana abortion percentages by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.7% | 13.8% | 13.6% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 9% | 9% | NR |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.7% | 13.8% | 13.6% | 13% | 13% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12% | 11% | 9% | 9% | NR |
| United States* | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
Out-of-State Abortion Percentage (2015): 14.6%
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 14.6% of the abortions that took place in Louisiana were performed on out-of-state residents.
*U.S. averages are limited to reporting districts.
GUTTMACHER DATA
Estimated Total Abortions (2014): 10,150
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 10,150 abortions took place in Louisiana during 2014. In 2011, an estimated 12,210 abortions occured—compared with an estimated 14,860 in 2008 and 11,400 in 2005.
Estimated Abortion Percentage (2014): 14%
In 2014, an estimated 14% of pregnancies in Louisiana 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 (64,497)—as reported by the CDC—and estimated abortions.
Estimated Abortion Rate* (2014): 10.8
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2014 abortion rate for Louisiana was 10.8. In 2011, the abortion rate in Louisiana was 13.1. It was 16.1 in 2008, 11.7 in 2005, and 13.0 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): 1.1%
In 2014, approximately 1.1% of all U.S. abortions occurred in Louisiana.
Facilities That Perform Abortions (2014): 5
In 2014, the Guttmacher Institute reports that there were 5 abortion providers in Louisiana. There were 7 providers in 2011, 7 providers in 2008, 9 providers in 2005, and 13 providers in 2000.
State Abortion Restrictions (2016):
- Abortion would be banned if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned.
- A woman must receive state-directed counseling about abortion and then wait 24 hours before the abortion takes place.
- Health plans offered in the state’s health exchange cannot cover abortion.
- The use of telemedicine for the performance of medication abortion is prohibited.
- The parent of a minor must consent before an abortion can take place.
- Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
- A woman must undergo an ultrasound before obtaining an abortion and must be given the option to view the image.
- An abortion cannot be performed at or after 20 weeks postfertilization (22 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period) unless the woman’s life is endangered or her physical health is severely compromised.
SOURCE: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-louisiana
