Decline in abortion and birth rates is mainly explained by societal changes – not by contraception policy

The Nordic countries have employed varying ways of supporting contraception and reducing the number of abortions. However, a new extensive Nordic study shows that, despite different national solutions, the abortion and birth statistics of young women have developed in an amazingly similar direction for five decades.

The study examined the abortion and birth rates of women aged 15–24 in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland between 1974 and 2023. The data was based on national register data and public documents describing, among other things, the availability of contraceptive services, the right to prescribe hormonal contraceptives, and reimbursement schemes.

"Although the Nordic countries have advanced their contraception policies at different paces and with different solutions, the development of the abortion and birth rates among young women has been surprisingly consistent," says Professor Oskari Heikinheimo from HUS and the University of Helsinki, who is one of the authors of the study.

Young women's reproductive behaviour changed in all Nordic countries at the same time

The number of young women giving birth has decreased dramatically in all Nordic countries. Women younger than 25 giving birth today account for less than one tenth of the rates in the 1970s. The number of abortions started to decline only after the 2010s – at the same time in all countries, regardless of national contraception policies.

According to the researchers, the results indicate that the change in young women's reproductive behaviour is primarily explained by broad societal and cultural factors, such as an increased level of education, changes in family planning ideals, and the prolonging of youth.

"The Nordic example shows that societal and cultural changes can be more impactful than health policy measures on young people's lives and choices," Heikinheimo says.

Research article: Birth and abortion rates among young women over the past 50 years examined in relation to providers and reimbursement for hormonal contraception across the Nordic countries, an ecological study

Further information

Oskari Heikinheimo, Professor, Head Physician, University of Helsinki and HUSoskari.heikinheimo@hus.fi

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