Government abortion statistics show that in 2021 755 ‘ground C’ abortions were performed when the baby was at 22 or 23 weeks gestation (ground C is the statutory ground under which the vast majority of abortions are permitted and there is currently a 24-week time limit for abortions performed under this statutory ground).
Sources for the above figure of 755 are provided below:
- Abortion statistics 2021: data tables (revision) [T7ab, cell F24] details that there were 1,544 Ground C abortions at 20 weeks and over.
- Additional data from freedom of information requests in the Abortion statistics 2021: freedom of information and other data releases (table 14-07-2023, cell B6) details that there were 789 Ground C abortions between 20 and 21 weeks.
- Because there is a 24-week limit for abortions under ‘ground C, abortions do not happen under this ground after 24 weeks.
- By subtracting 789 from 1,544, we arrive at the number of ‘ground C abortions at 22 or 23 weeks, which is 755.