Nearly 1 in 4 women worldwide used female sterilization as the contraceptive method of choice in 2019. In comparison, only around 1 in 5 women used the male condom to avoid pregnancy. This statistic shows the percentage of women of reproductive age worldwide using various contraceptive methods in 2019.
Percentage of women of reproductive age worldwide using various contraceptive methods in 2019*
Based on data from 1,247 surveys for 195 countries or
areas of the world and additional tabulations obtained from
microdata and survey reports.
* Reproductive age = 15-49 years
"Traditional methods of contraception:
Rhythm (calendar) method: Women monitor their pattern of menstrual
cycle (includes fertility awareness-based methods, periodic abstinence).
Withdrawal (coitus interruptus): Man withdraws his penis from his partner’s
vagina and ejaculates outside the vagina, keeping semen away from her
external genitalia.
Other methods:
For the purpose of this data booklet, these include modern methods such
as female condoms, vaginal barrier methods (including the diaphragm,
cervical cap and spermicidal foam, jelly, cream and sponge), the lactational
amenorrhea method (LAM), emergency contraception and other modern
methods (e.g., the contraceptive patch or vaginal ring), and traditional
methods such as douching, prolonged abstinence, gris-gris, incantation,
medicinal plants, abdominal massage and other local methods."
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
UN DESA. (December 31, 2019). Percentage of women of reproductive age worldwide using various contraceptive methods in 2019* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 03, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1235180/contraceptive-methods-worldwide-women-percentage/
UN DESA. "Percentage of women of reproductive age worldwide using various contraceptive methods in 2019* ." Chart. December 31, 2019. Statista. Accessed November 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1235180/contraceptive-methods-worldwide-women-percentage/
UN DESA. (2019). Percentage of women of reproductive age worldwide using various contraceptive methods in 2019* . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1235180/contraceptive-methods-worldwide-women-percentage/
UN DESA. "Percentage of Women of Reproductive Age Worldwide Using Various Contraceptive Methods in 2019* ." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Dec 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1235180/contraceptive-methods-worldwide-women-percentage/
UN DESA, Percentage of women of reproductive age worldwide using various contraceptive methods in 2019* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1235180/contraceptive-methods-worldwide-women-percentage/ (last visited November 03, 2024)
Percentage of women of reproductive age worldwide using various contraceptive methods in 2019* [Graph], UN DESA, December 31, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1235180/contraceptive-methods-worldwide-women-percentage/