113,031 voluntary abortions were performed in Spain in 2010, a 1.3% rise (or 1,550 more) compared with 2009.

The increase has occurred despite the fact that a new law on sexual and reproductive health was brought in on july 5th this year, which had as one of its fundamental aims a reduction in the number of abortions performed in Spain.

The ministry of Health, social Policy and Equality published this date today, which shows that the number of abortions has increased slightly in almost all regions of Spain, except for Aragón, Catalunya and Murcia, where the rate dropped slightly.

As in previous years, the regions with the highest abortion rates are Catalunya, Madrid, Murcia and the Balearic Islands, and the regions with the lowest rates are Ceuta, Melilla, Galicia, Extremadura and Castilla León.

Compared with 2009, there was a slight drop in the percentage abortions being performed on women under 20 -12.74 in 2009 and 12.71 in 2010.  This same tendency has been recorded in the 20 to 24 age group, where 20.08% in 2009 has dropped to 19.82% in 2010.  On the other hand, the number of abortions has increased in all the other age groups, from 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39 and the over 40s.

68.16% of women having abortions were single, 23.63% married, 3.56% divorced, 3.54% separated and 0.38% widows.  70.42% of them were European - 60.46% Spanish - whilst 22.36% were from America;  5.3% from Africa and 1.89% from Asia.

The vast majority of abortions are still carried out in outside the public health service, with 98.16% being performed in private clinics.