Scotland records highest abortion figures for 2024

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Newly released figures have revealed that Scotland has reported a record high number of annual abortions occurring in 2024.

According to Right to Life UK, Public Health Scotland released the figures for abortions taking place in Scotland in 2024, which tragically increased to 18,710. This is a 468 increase in abortion figures compared to 2023 that saw 18,242, and is now the highest recorded annual abortion statistic in the country.

The figures also revealed that 17.9 per 1,000 women between the ages 15-44 were having an abortion, in comparison to 17.5 per 1,000 in 2023. There was also a 15.38% increase in the number of abortions amongst babies who were diagnosed with Down Syndrome compared to 2023, and a 81.82% increase since 2021.

Repeat abortions also saw an increase from 7,282 in 2023 to 7,670, where 40.99% of reported abortions in 2024 being repeat abortions, as well as an increase in abortions taking place between 18- and 20-weeks gestation from 147 in 2023 to 152 in 2024.

Scotland have seen a push to widen abortion access as Right to Life UK also report that delegates at the SNP voted for a resolution to make abortion a “right” in a “future constitution of an independent Scotland”, which also sought to protect abortion access “against any potential political or legal regression”. This would mean that abortion would be available on demand for any reason up until birth, making it one of the most extreme abortion laws in the world.

This comes after recent figures from the HSE have seen another increase in abortions in Ireland, with figures totalling to over 50,000 since abortion was legalised in Ireland.

Scotland also introduced a buffer zone law back in September 2024, followed by Ireland and the UK in October. The buffer zone prohibits any pro-life activity, prayer or counsel that may lead a woman to change her mind on an abortion, if done within proximity of an abortion clinic. Scotland buffer zone law recently came under attack after an elderly grandmother was arrested for holding a sign that said “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.”

Sandra Parda of the Life Institute commented, saying: “This is both appalling and utterly heartbreaking. Abortion is harmful. It is not empowering and it is not something to celebrate. Any politician should be deeply concerned to see abortions on the rise.”

“The recent statistics from Scotland, as well as Ireland, are showing us one thing and its that these governments and their laws are failing women. Women should be provided with the love and support they need to embrace the new life they are carrying, so that they do not feel the need for an abortion.”