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Abortion Information Per Country

Abortion laws and access differ around the world due to cultural, religious, and political reasons. Some countries have completely banned abortion, while others allow it, usually with certain rules based on how far along the pregnancy is.

Infographic displaying abortion access categories: Permitted per Request, Socioeconomics Grounds, Preserve Health, Save the Life, and Prohibited Altogether.

LAWS

Abortion Laws Around the World

In the past 30 years, 60 countries have made it easier to have an abortion, allowing it within a specific time, for example within 12 or 14 weeks of pregnancy. However, 4 out of 10 women of reproductive age still live in places with strict abortion laws. In these areas, abortions might only be allowed under certain conditions, like if the woman's life is in danger or in cases of rape, or they might be completely banned. [1,2,3].

There's still much work to do to ensure everyone has the right to make decisions about their own bodies.

ACCESS

Abortion access worldwide

Several factors can affect access to safe and timely abortion. safe2choose helps by providing the necessary information about abortion laws and access in different countries.

Resource availability

Access to abortion also depends on available resources like medicine, equipment, and trained doctors. Abortion pills like Mifepristone and Misoprostol are recognized as safe and effective and are on the World Health Organization's (WHO) essential medicines list (6, 7). However, these pills aren't available everywhere, making it harder to have a safe and affordable abortion in some places (8, 9).

Legal barriers

Some countries have rules such as mandatory waiting periods or permission from parents or spouses, which can cause delays and impact decision-making (5).

Economic and geographic challenges

Economic and geographical factors, such as high costs and needing to travel for care, can also make it challenging to have an abortion.

Cultural and religious influences

Cultural and religious beliefs and stigma around abortion can also influence access. Stigma can lead to judgment or discrimination, making it difficult for people to talk about or access abortion services. Some health-care workers may also choose not to perform abortions due to their personal beliefs (10).

REGIONS

Learn about Abortion in Your Country

Check out this detailed overview of abortion laws and access in various countries. It includes information on whether abortion is legal, the types of abortion available, and details about abortion pills, including if a prescription is needed and the cost. You will also find information on local organizations and resources for additional support, tips for avoiding scams, and how to reach out to our team for live counseling.

If your country is not listed, please visit our partner website, How to Use Abortion Pills or contact our counselors via email at info@safe2choose.org.

Illustration of a globe with location markers, a gavel, books, a glass of water, and pills, symbolizing global healthcare law and justice.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In Latin America and the Caribbean, most countries have strict abortion laws. In recent years, some countries have made changes to allow more access to abortion. This shift has been influenced by the "Green Wave" movement through which people have fought for reproductive rights. Despite these changes, solid religious and conservative beliefs still make it hard for people to have abortions in many parts of the region.

Argentina

Argentina legalized abortion on request up to 14 weeks of pregnancy in 2020 – a massive victory for the feminist and women's movement in the region.

Colombia

Colombia decriminalized abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy in 2022 setting an important example in the region.

Mexico

Abortion laws vary by state, with some allowing it up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court decriminalized abortion in 2021, though implementation is inconsistent.

Brazil

Brazil strictly limits abortion, only permitting it in cases of rape, risk to the mother's life, or serious problems with the fetus' development.

El Salvador

This country has one of the strictest abortion laws in the world. Abortion is prohibited under all circumstances, even when the mother's life is at risk. People who have abortions and those who help them can face prison sentences.

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, abortion is highly restricted and only permitted if the mother's life is in danger. However, there have been ongoing debates and efforts to change these laws, especially in cases of rape, incest, or severe fetal problems.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Argentina

Argentina legalized abortion on request up to 14 weeks of pregnancy in 2020 – a massive victory for the feminist and women's movement in the region.

Colombia

Colombia decriminalized abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy in 2022 setting an important example in the region.

Mexico

Abortion laws vary by state, with some allowing it up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court decriminalized abortion in 2021, though implementation is inconsistent.

Brazil

Brazil strictly limits abortion, only permitting it in cases of rape, risk to the mother's life, or serious problems with the fetus' development.

El Salvador

Dominican Republic

TESTIMONIALS

Real Stories from Our Community

Discover heartfelt stories and experiences from individuals who've trusted safe2choose. These testimonials reflect the support and guidance we provide, showcasing the impact of our services.

Women sharing heartfelt testimonials of trust and support from safe2choose

“

Even though I was still very apprehensive, I decided to trust them and share my despair. To my surprise, I was warmly welcomed by the counselors and received all the guidance I needed.

I reached out here because I was desperate and didn’t know who to turn to. I had been searching on Google and found this wonderful team. Even though I was still very apprehensive, I decided to trust them and share my despair. To my surprise, I was warmly welcomed by the counselors and received all the guidance I needed. I was quickly referred to the appropriate place, where I was also treated with great care, and I was able to have my abortion in about a week. It was a very positive experience, with kind support and without judgment.

“

I don’t feel ready to have another baby. They inserted a copper IUD incorrectly, and I got pregnant.

I decided to have an abortion because I don’t feel ready to have another baby. They inserted a copper IUD incorrectly, and I got pregnant. My baby was born six months ago, I had postpartum depression, and it’s still hard to feel like I’m doing things right. I don’t think a new baby deserves all the stress from work, a small child, and a complicated relationship. The baby’s father didn’t want the pregnancy either.
After the abortion, I felt very guilty. I’m still sad about what happened because I tried to take care of myself and this still happened. I didn’t know what to do or where to go because abortion is illegal in my country. I found this page, and they helped me a lot and gave me contacts to make this a safe process, especially because I had the IUD and that complicated things.
If you’re in a similar situation, the best thing is to talk about it and cry as much as you need to let the grief out. I don’t think this is easy for anyone, especially if you’re a first-time mom.
Also, it’s better to be well informed about contraceptive methods and their side effects... I learned that you have to visit several doctors to get different opinions and inform yourself better. The copper IUD was inserted at my public health provider very soon after my C-section and didn’t protect me for even six months, and it caused this situation that I will never forget.

“

In a country where choice is denied, discovering support reaffirmed the belief in personal freedom.

It was amazing to know that even in a country where we are told we have no choice, there are people out there that still believe in a persons right to choose what to do with their life. Keep up the great work!

“

I am very grateful to them. Be sure that they will take good care of you, no matter where you are. You are the one to decide, but you will never be alone.

Fear was the first feeling I had when I found out I was pregnant. But after I contacted safe2choose, they made me feel safe and confident that they would guide me through the process. The process was very private and easy, and the counselors truly gave me the attention I needed. I am very grateful to them. Be sure that they will take good care of you, no matter where you are. You are the one to decide, but you will never be alone.

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User questioning herself, face resting on hand, question mark above her head

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions on Abortion Access

The reasons why people may choose to have an abortion are deeply personal and vary from person to person. When someone chooses an abortion, the decision is often made after thoughtful consideration of many factors, including personal, health, financial, and family circumstances.

Ultimately, a person's choice regarding their body and reproductive health is a private matter. Everyone has the right to make decisions that are best for their own life and situation, and it's important to respect that autonomy without judgment or intrusion.

USEFUL MATERIALS

How to Prepare for an Abortion

To better prepare for your abortion, explore the following pages:

BLOGS

Latest Posts and Alerts on Abortion Laws

Explore our articles for more information about different countries' laws.

Countries, laws and news

Our never-ending #BlackProtest

Read stories from Polish women on reproductive rights in the book #MyBlackProtest and discover the creation of a worldwide feminist movement.

10/11/2025Read article

After an abortion

When to have sex after an abortion

Explore the considerations for deciding when it's safe and emotionally comfortable to have sex after an abortion. Learn more here.

13/10/2025Read article

Abortion with pills

How to Administer Misoprostol

Get comprehensive guidance on how to properly administer Misoprostol and what to expect during the process. Ensure a safe experience.

15/09/2025Read article

Don't hesitate to Contact Us.

If you need more information or didn't find what you were looking for, don't hesitate to contact us through our counseling page and communication channels.

By the safe2choose team, with support from local organizations and experts who provided the most recent information and updates.

safe2choose is supported by a Medical Advisory Board formed by leading experts in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

[1] "The World's Abortion Laws Map." Center for Reproductive Rights, 2023, https://reproductiverights.org/maps/worlds-abortion-laws/. Accessed November 2024.

[2] Ganatra, B. et al. "Global, regional, and subregional classification of abortions by safety, 2010–14: estimates from a Bayesian hierarchical model." The Lancet, 2017, volume 390, issue 10110, 2372-2381, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31794-4/fulltext. Accessed November 2024.

[3] "Abortion Law: Global Comparisons." Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/article/abortion-law-global-comparisons. Accessed November 2024.

[4] "Abortion care guideline. Chapter 1. Introduction: An enabling environment for comprehensive abortion care." WHO, 2022, https://srhr.org/abortioncare/chapter-1/an-enabling-environment-for-comprehensive-abortion-care/. Accessed November 2024.

[5] De Londras, F. et al. "The impact of mandatory waiting periods on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence." BMC Public Health, 22, 1232, 2022, https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13620-z. Accessed November 2024.

[6] Gibson, L. "WHO puts abortifacients on its essential drug list." BMJ, 2005, 331(7508):68, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC558642/. Accessed November 2024.

[7] "World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines – 23rd List, 2023." World Health Organization, 2023, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MHP-HPS-EML-2023.02. Accessed November 2024.

[8] "Mifepristone Approved List." Gynuity, 2024, https://gynuity.org/assets/resources/mife_by_country_and_year_en.pdf. Accessed November 2024.

[9] "Global Abortion Policies Database." GAPD, https://abortion-policies.srhr.org/. Accessed November 2024.

[10] Sorhaindo, A.M., Lavelanet, A.F. "Why does abortion stigma matter? A scoping review and hybrid analysis of qualitative evidence illustrating the role of stigma in the quality of abortion care." Soc Sci Med, 2022, 311:115271, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9577010/. Accessed November 2024.

Abortion Information Per Country

Abortion Laws Around the World