Virginia 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 Virginia, visit: Abortion Stories (Virginia)
STATE-LEVEL DATA
Total Abortions (2017): 15,381
The Virginia Department of Health reports that 15,381 abortions took place in Virginia during 2017. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Virginia residents in other states.
Total Abortions (2016): 17,039
The Virginia Department of Health reports that 17,039 abortions took place in Virginia during 2016. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Virginia residents in other states.
SOURCE: Virginia Department of Health
CDC DATA
Total Abortions (2015): 18,663
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 18,663 abortions took place in Virginia during 2015. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on Virginia residents in other states. The table below compares Virginia abortion totals by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18,663 | 20,187 | 20,852 | 22,916 | 25,413 | 25,943 | 27,442 | 28,698 | 27,981 | 27,349 |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18,663 | 20,187 | 20,852 | 22,916 | 25,413 |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25,943 | 27,442 | 28,698 | 27,981 | 27,349 |
Abortion Percentage (2015): 15.3%
In 2015, 15.3% of pregnancies in Virginia 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 Virginia abortion percentages by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 15.3% | 16.3% | 16.9% | 18% | 20% | 20% | 21% | 21% | 20% | 20% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 15.3% | 16.3% | 16.9% | 18% | 20% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 20% | 21% | 21% | 20% | 20% |
| United States* | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
Out-of-State Abortion Percentage (2015): 5.2%
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 5.2% of the abortions that took place in Virginia were performed on out-of-state residents.
*U.S. averages are limited to reporting districts.
GUTTMACHER DATA
Estimated Total Abortions (2014): 21,080
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 21,080 abortions took place in Virginia during 2014. In 2011, an estimated 27,110 abortions occured—compared with an estimated 28,520 in 2008 and 26,520 in 2005.
Estimated Abortion Percentage (2014): 17%
In 2014, an estimated 17% of pregnancies in Virginia 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 (103,300)—as reported by the CDC—and estimated abortions.
Estimated Abortion Rate* (2014): 12.5
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2014 abortion rate for Virginia was 12.5. In 2011, the abortion rate in Virginia was 16.3. It was 17.6 in 2008, 16.5 in 2005, and 18.1 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): 2.3%
In 2014, approximately 2.3% of all U.S. abortions occurred in Virginia.
Facilities That Perform Abortions (2014): 34
In 2014, the Guttmacher Institute reports that there were 34 abortion providers in Virginia. There were 35 providers in 2011, 40 providers in 2008, 46 providers in 2005, and 46 providers in 2000.
State Abortion Restrictions (2016):
- 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 can only cover abortion in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
- Public health insurance can only cover abortion in cases of life endangerment, rape, incest, or fetal abnormality.
- 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, incest, or fetal abnormality.
- A woman must undergo an ultrasound before obtaining an abortion and must be given the option to view the image. If the woman lives within 100 miles of an abortion provider she must obtain the ultrasound at least 24 hours before the abortion.
SOURCE: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-virginia
