In 2021, there were a total of 53,000 abortions in the Nordic countries, with a general trend of decreasing numbers. This trend is also visible in the 15-19 age group, which can be attributed to improved education and access to contraception for young people. According to Professor Mika Gissler from Finland’s Institute for Health and Well-being, the younger generation is behaving better overall, with reduced smoking and drinking and increased use of contraception during sex.
Sweden had the most abortions in 2021, with 33,700, while Finland had the lowest abortion rate, with 7,600.
The current law in Finland requires pregnant women to state a reason for abortion and obtain permission from one or two doctors, but a citizens’ initiative in 2020 gathered 54,000 signatures for liberalization. Starting this fall, abortion will be free until the end of week 12 of pregnancy in Finland, without the need to state a reason for the procedure. After week 12, permission from Valvira, the Finnish Social Welfare Board, is necessary.
Professor Gissler does not believe that liberalizing abortion laws will lead to an increase in the number of abortions in Finland, citing the example of Iceland, where free abortion became legal in 2019 up to the 22nd week of pregnancy with no significant increase in the number of abortions.
To learn more about abortions in the Nordic countries, watch the video above with three key facts.
A total of 53,000 abortions were carried out in the Nordic countries in 2021, the general trend is that abortions are decreasing. A reduction is also visible in the 15-19 age group. There are several explanations for this, says Mika Gissler, professor at the Institute for Health and Well-being in Finland. Schools have become better at informing young people and contraception is free for young people in many places.
– The younger generation generally behaves better, they smoke and drink less. They have as much sex as we did, but they use more contraception, he says.
Most abortions in 2021 took place in Sweden, 33,700, corresponding to 15.1 abortions per 1,000 women of the same age. Finland had the lowest abortion rate with 5.8 abortions per 1,000 women of the same age, a total of 7,600.
Medical approval required
The current law in Finland is over 50 years old and requires pregnant women to state a reason for the abortion and obtain permission from one or two doctors. After a citizens’ initiative in 2020 that gathered 54,000 signatures, the question of a liberalization was raised. It was clubbed in October 2022.
Starting this fall, abortion will be free until the end of week 12 of pregnancy, that is, the pregnant woman does not have to state a reason for the abortion. After week 12, permission is required from Valvira, the Finnish Social Welfare Board.
– It is welcome. We are finally on par with other Nordic countries, says Mika Gissler.
He does not believe that a liberalized abortion law will lead to more abortions in Finland. In Iceland, free abortion became legal in 2019 up to the 22nd week of pregnancy.
– It is about the same number of abortions as before in Iceland. Liberalizing legislation does not increase the number of abortions.
Hear three facts about abortions in the Nordic countries in the video above.