A total of 53,000 abortions were performed in the Nordic countries in 2021, the general trend is that abortions are decreasing. Even in the group of 15-19 years old, a decrease is visible. This has several explanations, says Mika Gissler, professor at the Finnish Institute for Health and Wellbeing. Schools have become better at informing young people and contraception is in many places free for young people.
"The younger generation generally behaves better, they smoke and drink less. They have as much sex as we had but they use more prevention," he said.
The 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 more than 50 years old and requires that pregnant women give a reason for the abortion and obtain permission from one or two doctors. Following a citizens' initiative in 2020 that gathered 54,000 signatures, the question of liberalisation was raised. It was clubbed in October 2022.
From this autumn, there will be free abortion until the end of pregnancy week 12, that is, the pregnant woman does not have to give a reason for the abortion. After week 12, permission from Valvira, the Finnish Social Welfare Board, is required.
- That's welcome. Finally, we are on a par with other countries in the Nordic region," 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 until week 22 of pregnancy.
"It's about the same number of abortions as before in Iceland. Liberalizing legislation does not increase the number of abortions.
Hear three facts about abortion in the Nordic countries in the video above.