Sharp Rise in Abortions in Northern Ireland Raises Deep Concerns

29.04.2025

New figures released by the Department of Health show a heartbreaking surge in abortions across Northern Ireland. Between April 2023 and March 2024, 2,792 abortions were carried out — an increase of 624 procedures (almost 29%) compared to the previous year. This marks the largest single-year increase since abortion laws were radically changed in Northern Ireland.

Compared to 2021, when there were 1,574 abortions, the number of lives lost has soared by over 77%. It is also the highest year-on-year rise in abortions seen in any region of the UK in the past 50 years.

Alarmingly, late-term abortions (at 13 weeks gestation or more) rose by 62%, with 76 babies aborted at this stage — a near doubling from 2022. Disability-selective abortions which permits abortions for conditions such as Down’s syndrome, cleft lip, and club foot — increased by 56% compared to two years earlier.

72 abortions were performed on girls under 18, representing a 20% increase from the previous year and a 57% jump since 2021.

All five health trusts in Northern Ireland reported increases. The Western Trust, in particular, saw a shocking 305% increase year-on-year.

These grim statistics are a stark consequence of the extreme abortion regime imposed on Northern Ireland in 2019 by MPs in Westminster — none of whom represented Northern Ireland constituencies. Despite abortion being a devolved matter, Northern Ireland elected politicians were silenced as none voted for this measure which was carried by politicians from Scotland, Wales and England.

Before these changes, abortions involving Northern Ireland residents were relatively rare. In 2018, 1,053 abortions were recorded in England and Wales for Northern Ireland women, while only 12 procedures occurred within Northern Ireland itself.

Today’s figures paint a devastating picture: rather than providing real support for women and families, radical abortion laws have led to a dramatic rise in the loss of innocent lives.