In 2021, three out of four abortions performed in France were medical (drug-induced). Over the last two decades, the use of drug-induced abortions increased steadily in the country. By 2009, the share of medical abortions surpassed surgical abortions among French women.
Medical abortion involves taking medication that causes pregnancy termination and embryo expulsion. In France, this method consists of taking two medications in succession. An antiprogesterone drug, mifepristone, interrupts the pregnancy. Then a prostaglandin, misoprostol, causes contractions and expulsion of the embryo. Medical abortions by teleconsultation are also possible for women in France.
Share of medical (drug-induced) voluntary termination of pregnancies (abortions) in France from 2001 to 2021
Characteristic
Share of abortions
2001
31%
2002
35%
2003
38%
2004
42%
2005
45%
2006
47%
2007
49%
2008
50%
2009
52%
2010
54%
2011
55%
2012
57%
2013
58%
2014
59%
2015
61%
2016
65%
2017
68%
2018
69%
2019
68%
2020
74%
2021
76%
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DREES. (September 27, 2022). Share of medical (drug-induced) voluntary termination of pregnancies (abortions) in France from 2001 to 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400458/share-of-drug-induced-abortions-over-time-in-france/
DREES. "Share of medical (drug-induced) voluntary termination of pregnancies (abortions) in France from 2001 to 2021." Chart. September 27, 2022. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400458/share-of-drug-induced-abortions-over-time-in-france/
DREES. (2022). Share of medical (drug-induced) voluntary termination of pregnancies (abortions) in France from 2001 to 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400458/share-of-drug-induced-abortions-over-time-in-france/
DREES. "Share of Medical (Drug-induced) Voluntary Termination of Pregnancies (Abortions) in France from 2001 to 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 27 Sep 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400458/share-of-drug-induced-abortions-over-time-in-france/
DREES, Share of medical (drug-induced) voluntary termination of pregnancies (abortions) in France from 2001 to 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400458/share-of-drug-induced-abortions-over-time-in-france/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Share of medical (drug-induced) voluntary termination of pregnancies (abortions) in France from 2001 to 2021 [Graph], DREES, September 27, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400458/share-of-drug-induced-abortions-over-time-in-france/