Northern Ireland: 'Extreme’ regime sees abortions increase

Abortions in Northern Ireland have surged by nearly a third, according to the latest statistics. Abortion in the province was decriminalised in October 2019, and has seen a significant increase every year since.

In the year ending 31 March 2024, 2,792 abortions were recorded, a 28.78% increase on the previous year and representing the biggest percentage rise in abortion in the UK in 50 years. The figures also revealed a 61.7% increase in abortions of unborn babies over 12 weeks gestation, including 198 surgical abortions. Abortions for non-fatal disabilities, such as Down’s Syndrome, more than doubled to 56.25%.

Catherine Robinson from Right To Life UK said: “[The data] demonstrates that the introduction of an extreme abortion regime to Northern Ireland has likely resulted in the lives of many more babies from Northern Ireland being lost to abortion”.