Trends in abortion 1990-1995

Trends in legal abortion performed to women resident in England and Wales, between the years 1990 and 1995 are reviewed. This article updates an earlier review of abortion trends from the introduction of the 1967 Abortion Act to the end of 1989 which appeared in Population Trends issue no. 64(1). The main findings of this present article indicate that the number of legal abortions performed in England and Wales have gone down since 1990. Outside factors such as patterns in fertility, the provision and uptake of family planning services, and sexual attitudes and behaviour are likely to influence present and future trends. This article is part of an ongoing review of abortion trends which will be continued in future years.