According to newly-released statistics from the CDC, the number of abortions in 2012 were at "historic lows," with approximately 13 abortions per every 1,000 women. This is a continuation of past trends, and the abortion rate has been effectively halved since 1974, the first year after the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade that legalized the procedure throughout the country.
2012 is the most recent year statistics are available.
From U.S. News & World Report:
The number of reported abortions dropped 4 percent in 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. About 699,000 abortions were reported to the federal government that year. That's about 31,000 fewer than the year before.
Experts offer various reasons for the recent drop: Better use of birth control and the lingering effects of the economic recession. Others argue there's been a cultural shift and more women opt to continue their pregnancy.
In 2012, the abortion rate fell 5 percent to 13 abortions per 1,000 women of child-bearing age. That is about half what it was in 1974, the year after the landmark Supreme Court decision that established a nationwide right to abortion.
Excellent news. Let's hope this trend continues.