Trend of Abortion Numbers from 1996 to 2022

The total number of abortions in Germany has shown a decreasing trend over the past decades, particularly when comparing the peaks in the early 2000s to more recent years. The highest recorded number was in 2001 with 134,964 abortions, while the lowest was in 2022 with 103,927 abortions. This represents a decline of approximately 23% over 21 years, indicating a significant shift in abortion trends.

Analysis of Yearly Changes

Throughout the recorded period, annual fluctuations in the number of abortions were common, but a broader analysis shows a general decline. The most notable single-year decrease occurred between 2003 and 2004, with the number dropping from 128,030 to 129,650 abortions, a decrease of roughly 1.3%. Conversely, a significant year-over-year increase was observed between 1998 and 1999, where abortions rose from 131,795 to 130,471 abortions, marking an increase of about 0.7%.

Recent Data and Trends

In the last five years covered by the data, the numbers show smaller fluctuations compared to earlier periods. The year 2022 had the highest number of abortions in this recent timeframe with 103,927 abortions, contrasting with 2021 which saw 94,596 abortions. This recent increase suggests a possible reversal or stabilization in the declining trend observed over the long term.

Comparative Analysis Over Decades

Comparing the data by decade, the average number of abortions in the early 2000s was significantly higher than in the 2020s. Specifically, the average annual number of abortions in the 2000s was around 129,000 abortions, whereas in the 2020s (up to 2022), it was approximately 99,000 abortions. This shows a reduction of about 23% in average annual abortions between these two decades, emphasizing a broader societal or policy-driven change.

Historical Highs and Lows

The data highlights the highest and lowest numbers of annual abortions over the 27-year span. The year with the most abortions was 2001 with 134,964, while the year with the fewest was 2022 with 103,927 abortions. Observing these extremes helps to underscore the overall reduction trend and also points to 2022 as a year of significant interest in the historical context of abortion data in Germany.