Tennessee 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 Tennessee, visit: Abortion Stories (Tennessee)
STATE-LEVEL DATA
Total Abortions (2017): 10,810
The Tennessee Department of Health reports that 10,810 abortions took place in Tennessee during 2017. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Tennessee residents in other states.
Total Abortions (2016): 11,235
The Tennessee Department of Health reports that 11,235 abortions took place in Tennessee during 2016. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Tennessee residents in other states.
SOURCE: Tennessee Department of Health
CDC DATA
Total Abortions (2015): 11,411
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 11,411 abortions took place in Tennessee during 2015. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Tennessee residents in other states. The table below compares Tennessee abortion totals by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11,411 | 12,373 | 14,216 | 15,859 | 16,115 | 16,373 | 17,474 | 18,253 | 18,171 | 17,883 |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11,411 | 12,373 | 14,216 | 15,859 | 16,115 |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16,373 | 17,474 | 18,253 | 18,171 | 17,883 |
Abortion Percentage (2015): 12.3%
In 2015, 12.3% of pregnancies in Tennessee 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 Tennessee abortion percentages by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 12.3% | 13.2% | 15.1% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 18% | 18% | 17% | 18% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 12.3% | 13.2% | 15.1% | 17% | 17% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 17% | 18% | 18% | 17% | 18% |
| United States* | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
Out-of-State Abortion Percentage (2015): 20.3%
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 20.3% of the abortions that took place in Tennessee were performed on out-of-state residents.
*U.S. averages are limited to reporting districts.
GUTTMACHER DATA
Estimated Total Abortions (2014): 13,880
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 13,880 abortions took place in Tennessee during 2014. In 2011, an estimated 16,720 abortions occured—compared with an estimated 19,550 in 2008 and 18,140 in 2005.
Estimated Abortion Percentage (2014): 15%
In 2014, an estimated 15% of pregnancies in Tennessee 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 (81,602)—as reported by the CDC—and estimated abortions.
Estimated Abortion Rate* (2014): 10.7
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2014 abortion rate for Tennessee was 10.7. In 2011, the abortion rate in Tennessee was 13.1. It was 15.5 in 2008, 14.4 in 2005, and 15.2 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): 1.5%
In 2014, approximately 1.5% of all U.S. abortions occurred in Tennessee.
Facilities That Perform Abortions (2014): 11
In 2014, the Guttmacher Institute reports that there were 11 abortion providers in Tennessee. There were 14 providers in 2011, 13 providers in 2008, 13 providers in 2005, and 16 providers in 2000.
State Abortion Restrictions (2016):
- A woman must receive state-directed counseling about abortion and then wait 48 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.
SOURCE: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-tennessee
