World's Abortion Laws
The definitive record of the legal status of abortion in countries and territories across the globe, updated in real time.
Map Key
On Request (Gestational Limits Vary)
The most common gestational limit for countries in this category is 12 weeks. Gestational limits are calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period, which is considered to occur two weeks prior to conception. Where laws specify that gestational age limits are calculated from the date of conception, these limits have been extended by two weeks.
Prohibited Altogether
The laws of the countries in this category do not permit abortion under any circumstances, including when the person’s life or health is at risk.
To Save a Person’s Life
The laws of the countries in this category permit abortion when the pregnant person’s life is at risk.
To Preserve Health
The laws of countries in this category permit abortion on the basis of health or therapeutic grounds. 25 of these countries explicitly permit abortion to preserve mental health.
Broad Social or Economic Grounds
These laws are generally interpreted liberally to permit abortion under a broad range of circumstances. These countries/territories often take into account a pregnant person’s actual or reasonably foreseeable environment and their social or economic circumstances when considering the potential impact of pregnancy and childbearing.
Varies at State Level
The laws of the countries in this category vary significantly from state to state.
About the Map
Over the past 30 years, more than 60 countries and territories have liberalized their abortion laws.
From Ireland to Nepal, abortion rights are becoming recognized as fundamental human rights for millions of people worldwide. And in Latin America, the Green Wave is ushering in a new era of liberalization in Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, and elsewhere in the region.
Only four countries have rolled back the legality of abortion.
- United States of America
- Nicaragua
- El Salvador
- Poland
The devastating regression on abortion rights in the United States makes the country a stark outlier to the global trend toward liberalization.
Only two countries have abortion laws that significantly vary from state to state.
United States
In overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court removed nationwide protections for abortion rights. Since then, some states have criminalized abortion while others have strengthened protections.
Mexico
In 2021, the Supreme Court of Mexico found the absolute criminalization of abortion to be unconstitutional and recognized the right to abortion early in pregnancy. About 40% of Mexican states now comply with this. In 2023, the Court ordered the removal of abortion from the Federal Penal Code.
60% live where abortion is broadly legal – 1.12 billion women of reproductive age.
40% live under restrictive laws – 753 million women of reproductive age.
This analysis draws from the most recent data from the UN Population Division, which tracks the number of women of reproductive age living in each country. We recognize people who do not identify as women may also need access to abortion services.
Denial of abortion care is nothing short of a true human rights violation.
Human rights bodies have consistently condemned restrictive abortion laws and called for states and territories to decriminalize abortion and guarantee access to safe abortion services.
Restrictive abortion laws cause enormous harm:
- Around 39,000 deaths per year from unsafe abortions
- The loss of educational and economic opportunities
- The deepening of historical marginalization
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