West 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 West Virginia, visit: Abortion Stories (West Virginia)
STATE-LEVEL DATA
Total Abortions (2017): 1,436
The West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources reports that 1,436 abortions took place in West Virginia during 2017. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on West Virginia residents in other states.
Total Abortions (2016): 1,428
The West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources reports that 1,428 abortions took place in West Virginia during 2016. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on West Virginia residents in other states.
SOURCE: West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources
CDC DATA
Total Abortions (2015): 1,516
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 1,516 abortions took place in West Virginia during 2015. This number includes abortions performed on out-of-state residents but does not include abortions performed on West Virginia residents in other states. The table below compares West Virginia abortion totals by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,516 | 1,730 | 1,876 | 1,828 | 1,837 | 1,999 | 1,772 | 1,983 | 1,853 | 2,036 |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,516 | 1,730 | 1,876 | 1,828 | 1,837 |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,999 | 1,772 | 1,983 | 1,853 | 2,036 |
Abortion Percentage (2015): 7.1%
In 2015, 7.1% of pregnancies in West 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 West Virginia abortion percentages by year.
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 7.1% | 7.8% | 8.3% | 8% | 8% | 9% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 9% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 7.1% | 7.8% | 8.3% | 8% | 8% |
| United States* | 15.8% | 15.7% | 16.7% | 17% | 18% |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 9% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 9% |
| United States* | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
Out-of-State Abortion Percentage (2015): 12.7%
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 12.7% of the abortions that took place in West Virginia were performed on out-of-state residents.
*U.S. averages are limited to reporting districts.
GUTTMACHER DATA
Estimated Total Abortions (2014): 2,020
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 2,020 abortions took place in West Virginia during 2014. In 2011, an estimated 2,390 abortions occured—compared with an estimated 2,280 in 2008 and 2,360 in 2005.
Estimated Abortion Percentage (2014): 9%
In 2014, an estimated 9% of pregnancies in West 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 (20,301)—as reported by the CDC—and estimated abortions.
Estimated Abortion Rate* (2014): 6
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2014 abortion rate for West Virginia was 6. In 2011, the abortion rate in West Virginia was 7. It was 6.6 in 2008, 6.7 in 2005, and 6.8 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): 0.2%
In 2014, approximately 0.2% of all U.S. abortions occurred in West Virginia.
Facilities That Perform Abortions (2014): 5
In 2014, the Guttmacher Institute reports that there were 5 abortion providers in West Virginia. There were 4 providers in 2011, 4 providers in 2008, 4 providers in 2005, and 3 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.
- The parent of a minor must be notified before an abortion can take place.
- 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-west_virginia
