Abortion rates have remained relatively stable in developing countries and have fallen in developed countries. Overall, however, one in four pregnancies worldwide ends in an abortion, said a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO noted the abortion rate was higher in countries with more restrictive abortion laws and more difficult access to contraceptives. Abortion is quite restricted Latin America and the report said 32 percent of pregnancies in this region ended in an abortion, the highest rate in the world.

Like Us on Facebook

WHO said 90 percent of abortions occur in developing countries where people have limited access to family planning services and contraceptives. It also reported making abortion illegal doesn't appear to reduce abortion rates.

The study also revealed restricting access to abortion services doesn't reduce the number of abortions, suggesting women opt for dangerous procedures if abortion is illegal.

The report said 37 per 1,000 women had an abortion in countries where it is illegal or only permitted to save a woman's life. On the other hand, 34 of 1,000 women had an abortion where it is legal and available.

"Estimates of the proportion of abortions that are unsafe are under development but we already know nearly 300 million dollars are spent each year on treating the complications from unsafe abortions," said Dr. Bela Ganatra, a scientist at the WHO.

"The high rates of abortion seen in our study also provide further evidence of the need to improve and expand access to effective contraceptive services. Investing in modern contraceptive methods would be far less costly to women and society than having unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions."

In the United States, WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the rates for abortion and birth have been dropping steadily.

The new study revealed expanded access to contraceptives is responsible for most of the reduction in abortions in developed countries. In developing countries, 80 percent of unintended pregnancies were tied specifically to the lack of access.

TagsAbortion, World Health Organization, contraception