The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, has made abortion statistics across racial groups crucial to understanding America's reproductive healthcare landscape. CDC data from 48 reporting areas shows 613,383 reported abortions in 2022, highlighting most important racial disparities in abortion rates and access.
The data reveals Black women's abortion rate stands highest at 24.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years. CDC data shows Black patients made up 39.5% of all reported abortions, while other sources put this number at 42.9%.
White women represented 31.9% of abortion recipients, and Hispanic patients factored in for about 21.3%. These racial variations in abortion rates stem from complex socioeconomic factors that we'll get into throughout this piece.
Latest Abortion Statistics by Race in the U.S.
The CDC's latest abortion statistics by race show clear differences in both abortion rates and ratios among racial and ethnic groups in the US. These gaps stem from complex socioeconomic factors and uneven access to healthcare across the country.
Black women: highest abortion rate and ratio
CDC data from 2022 shows Black women have the highest abortion rate at 24.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years. This rate stands 4.3 times higher than White women's rate. Black women also show the highest abortion ratio at 429 abortions per 1,000 live births. This ratio means that Black women had 429 abortions for every 1,000 live births.
The overall abortion rates have dropped for all racial groups between 2007-2016, but the racial gap has grown wider. Black women's abortion rate fell by 29% while White women saw a 33% decrease. This difference has made the disparity between these groups slightly larger.
Black women make up about 39.5% of all abortions reported to the CDC, with some sources showing numbers as high as 42%. These numbers reflect broader issues of healthcare access, economic inequality, and systemic factors that lead to more unplanned pregnancies.
White women: lowest abortion rate and ratio
The CDC's data shows White women have the lowest numbers among tracked racial groups. In 2022, White women's abortion rate was 5.7 per 1,000 women of reproductive age. They also had the lowest abortion ratio at 106 abortions per 1,000 live births. This translates to 106 abortions for every 1,000 live births to White women.
State-by-state numbers tell different stories. Idaho reports 70% of all abortions happen among non-Hispanic White women, matching the state's population where 81% identify as White. Utah shows similar patterns with 56% of abortions among non-Hispanic White women in a state that's 78% White.
White women represent about 31.9% of all abortion recipients across the nation, though this number changes based on the data source.
Hispanic and other racial groups: mid-range trends
Hispanic women's abortion statistics fall between those of Black and White women. The CDC's 2022 data shows Hispanic women had an abortion rate twice that of White women. They account for 21.2% of all CDC-reported abortions.
The abortion ratio for Hispanic women runs 1.6 times higher than White women. This gap appears smaller than the one between Black and White women. Other sources estimate Hispanic women make up about 22% of abortions.
Women of other races (including Asian Americans, Native Americans, and those of mixed race) account for 7.3% of all abortions. These groups have abortion rates of 9.2 per 1,000 women of reproductive age, placing them between White and Hispanic women's rates.
How abortion rate by race is calculated
Experts calculate the abortion rate by race as the number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years in each racial or ethnic group. The abortion ratio shows the number of abortions per 1,000 live births for women of that race or ethnicity.
The data collection process has major gaps. Only 32 areas (31 states plus DC) share race and ethnicity data with the CDC. Several large states with diverse populations don't report, including California, which has strong abortion protections.
Five states that skip reporting race-specific abortion data (California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois) account for half of all US abortions and a third of all Black women of childbearing age. The CDC admits that missing this data "reduces the representativeness of the CDC data". This gap might mean the actual racial differences in abortion rates nationwide are even larger.
These limitations make it hard to see the complete picture of abortion trends by race in the United States. The available data consistently reveals large disparities that continue to exist.
Trends in Abortion Rates by Race Over the Last Decade
In the last decade, abortion statistics by race have shown the most important downward trends in all demographic groups. Racial disparities continue and have even widened in some cases. CDC data highlights fundamental changes in both rates and ratios that reveal a complex picture of reproductive healthcare access in America.
2013–2022: overall decline in abortion rates
The total number of reported abortions in the United States dropped by 5% between 2013 and 2022, from 640,154 to 613,383. This represents a larger 10% decrease in the overall abortion rate, which went from 12.4 to 11.2 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years.
The abortion ratio (abortions per 1,000 live births) showed a slight 1% increase during this time, moving from 198 to 199.
The numbers continued to decline between 2021 and 2022. Abortions decreased by 2%, the abortion rate fell by 3%, and the abortion ratio dropped by 2%. These decreases occurred before the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision in June 2022 removed federal constitutional protection for abortion rights.
An earlier analysis from 2008 to 2014 revealed a steeper 25% decline in the abortion rate, which fell from 19.4 to 14.6 per 1,000 women. The most important decreases happened during the decade's first half.
Racial disparities remained consistent
The decline in abortion rates affected women of all races and ethnicities over the last decade. Black women's abortion rate decreased by 29% from 2007 to 2016, which was nowhere near the 33% decrease among White women. The racial gap grew wider during this period.
The Black/White abortion rate ratio illustrates these ongoing disparities. Black women had abortion rates 3.0 times higher than White women in 1990. This gap grew to 3.64 times by 2014. State-reported data from 2018 showed Black women's abortion rates at 3.41 times that of White women.
Between 2008 and 2014, abortion rates dropped differently among racial groups:
- Non-Hispanic Black women saw a 32% decrease
- Hispanic women experienced a 36% decline
- Non-Hispanic women of other races had a 39% reduction
- Non-Hispanic White women showed a 14% decrease
Hispanic women's substantial 36% decline stands out because they previously had high abortion rates. All the same, Black women maintained the highest abortion rates throughout the decade despite these varying decreases.
Adolescents vs. adults: shifting ratios by race
The most dramatic changes affected adolescents. Abortion rates fell across all age groups from 2013 to 2022. Teens showed the largest drops – 33% for those under 15 years and 34% for those aged 15–19 years. No other age group saw such steep declines.
Women aged 30–34 years bucked this trend as the only group with increased abortion rates during this time. This reflects a broader pattern where women choose to delay motherhood until their 30s.
The abortion ratio trends varied by age group from 2013 to 2022. The ratios increased for teens ≤19 years and women aged 20–34 years but decreased for women ≥35 years. This suggests that while fewer teens got pregnant, those who did were more likely to choose abortion.
These age-related patterns appeared clearly among racial groups. Hispanic teens aged 15-19 had an abortion ratio that was just 24% of their 1988 peak by 2013. The early 2010s saw dramatic drops in teen pregnancy rates – 66% for non-Hispanic Black teens, 64% for non-Hispanic White teens, and 64% for Hispanic teens.
Hispanic teens aged 15–19 saw their pregnancy rates plunge by 47% in just six years (2007-2013). This outpaced the 33% decline among White teens and 38% among Black teens. These numbers represent major changes in young women's reproductive choices across all racial groups.
Gestational Age and Method Differences by Race
Racial groups in America show notable differences in abortion timing and methods that go beyond overall rates. The patterns in how and when women get abortion care reflect broader healthcare gaps and priorities.
Early abortions (≤9 weeks) by race
Most abortions happen during the first trimester for all racial groups. Data from 2022 shows that 78.6% of reported abortions happened at or before 9 weeks, and 92.8% took place at or before 13 weeks. The timing patterns show subtle differences between racial groups.
Reports from 30 areas reveal that Black women got 77.1% of their abortions at ≤9 weeks gestation. Hispanic women showed a higher rate at 81.8%, White women at 80.5%, and non-Hispanic women of other races at 79.4%.
Age plays a bigger role than race when it comes to early abortion access. Young people under 15 years had only 56.3% of abortions at ≤9 weeks, while those aged 15-19 years reached 72.5%. Women aged 20 years or older achieved rates of ≥77.7%. These numbers suggest young women face more barriers to timely care, whatever their race.
Surgical vs. medication abortion usage
Medication abortions now make up most abortions in the United States. CDC data shows 56% of U.S. abortions used medication pills in 2021, up from 53% in 2020 and 44% in 2019. The Guttmacher Institute found similar trends, with 53% of U.S. abortions using medication in 2020, rising from 39% in 2017.
Research shows Black individuals tend to choose and receive medication abortions less often than other groups. This trend continues even after accounting for income levels. People with incomes below the federal poverty level also show lower medication abortion rates.
Women getting abortions at ≤9 weeks gestation chose medication abortion 70.2% of the time in 2022. This high percentage shows people strongly prefer this less invasive option when available, though racial differences in access or preference still exist.
Late-term abortion trends among racial groups
Late-term abortions after 13 weeks make up a small portion of total abortions but reveal racial differences. Black women had 6.8% of abortions after 13 weeks gestation in 2022, while White women had 6.0%, Hispanic women 5.3%, and non-Hispanic women of other races 7.2%.
Young people more often had later abortions compared to adult women. About 18.3% of teens under 15 years and 9.6% of those aged 15-19 years got abortions after 13 weeks. Women aged 20 years or older ranged from 6.2% to 7.6%.
State laws that limit abortion access after certain weeks affect racial groups differently. Georgia's HB954, which restricted abortions after 22 weeks, led to fewer abortions at or after 22 weeks across all racial groups.
The ratio of abortions before 22 weeks went up for Black women but stayed stable for White, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic people. This suggests Black women might have moved their timing earlier rather than losing access completely.
State-Level Differences in Abortion Rates by Race
State-by-state analysis shows clear differences in abortion statistics among racial groups. These differences go beyond what you'd expect from population numbers alone. Looking at data from different states helps us understand how local policies and access shape racial gaps in abortion services across America.
States with highest racial disparities
Alabama and Georgia show some of the biggest racial gaps in abortion rates. Black women account for 66% of all abortions in Alabama, even though African Americans make up only 26% of the state's population.
Georgia tells a similar story – African Americans are 31% of the population, yet Black women make up about 66.5% of all abortions. These numbers represent the widest racial gaps nationwide.
States with mostly white populations tell a different story. Idaho's population is 81% white, and white women make up about 70% of abortions there. Utah shows similar patterns – the population is 78% white, and white women account for over 56% of abortions.
The Dobbs decision has led many states to ban or consider banning abortion. Of these 26 states, 17 already struggle with high maternal death rates. This becomes even more worrying since these states are home to nearly 55% of all Black women who can have children in the US.
Impact of state laws on racial access
Women of color feel the effects of state abortion restrictions more than others. The numbers paint a clear picture – 6.7 million Black women live in states that have banned or might ban abortion. Most of these women (58%) already have children, and 2.7 million face financial hardship.
Distance to abortion clinics affects racial groups differently. A recent study shows birth rates went up faster for Black and Hispanic women who lived farther from clinics. Money creates another barrier – 1.8 million Black women on Medicaid live in states with actual or likely abortion bans.
These restrictions hit communities that already face unfair treatment in healthcare even harder. Regina Davis Moss from the National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda puts it clearly: "These bans are more than just policies; these are direct attacks on bodily autonomy".
Cross-state travel for abortion care
More people now travel between states for abortions after the Dobbs ruling. Yet many can't manage this journey – the number of cross-state travels dropped from 170,000 to about 155,000 after new restrictions took effect.
Money often stops women of color from traveling for care. An abortion cost more than $500 in 2021, not counting travel, hotels, childcare, and missed work. Women of color typically have less money than white women, which makes these costs a huge obstacle.
Being an immigrant makes traveling between states even harder, especially near borders. About one-third of Asian women and a quarter of Hispanic women aged 18-49 aren't citizens. Many worry that traveling might lead to detention or deportation for themselves or their families.
Idaho shows how these restrictions work in real life. People there must drive 200 to 400 miles to find the nearest abortion clinic. Between April and October 2022, 12% more Idaho residents went to Washington for abortions, showing how quickly state laws change people's choices.
Factors Behind Racial Disparities in Abortion Access
Racial disparities in abortion rates across the US come from many connected factors that go way beyond the reach and influence of personal choice. Everything in these statistics needs proper context to understand why it happens and tackle the systemic problems at their root.
Economic inequality and healthcare access
Money problems shape how different racial groups can access abortion services. Black women with low incomes have concerns – 58% think the government's promotion of birth control and abortion aims to keep their population small.
The reality shows huge gaps in health insurance coverage by race. American Indian/Alaska Native women (19%) and Hispanic women (18%) don't have insurance, while only 6% of White women face this problem.
States that ban abortion have twice as many uninsured women aged 18-49 compared to states with better access. These insurance gaps make a real difference in healthcare choices. A first-trimester abortion costs more than $500, which creates huge barriers for women of color who have less money.
Contraceptive availability and education
Black and Hispanic women use highly effective contraceptives less often than White women. Women at risk of unexpected pregnancy show higher rates of not using contraceptives among Black women compared to White women.
The numbers tell an interesting story – 75% of patients pick the most effective birth control methods (implants and IUDs) when money isn't an issue and they get complete education.
In spite of that, what patients know and worry about regarding birth control safety adds to these differences. Black women also face race-based discrimination in family planning care – about two-thirds say they've experienced it.
This bias shows up as pressure to have fewer children, with Black and Latina women hearing more often from healthcare workers that they should limit their families.
Systemic racism and medical mistrust
Medical mistrust lies at the heart of these differences. The numbers paint a clear picture – 42% of Blacks and 51% of Hispanics believe the government pushes birth control to limit minorities, while only 25% of Whites think this way.
This doubt comes from real history – reproductive healthcare has a recorded past of racist actions like forced sterilization and medical experiments.
Research shows the quality of family planning care isn't the same for Black and Hispanic women, who report feeling pushed toward specific methods. Fixing these abortion differences means dealing with both today's healthcare barriers and the deep historical wounds that still affect reproductive health experiences by race.
Limitations in Abortion Data by Race
Getting accurate abortion statistics by race remains a major challenge in today's digital world. These data limitations affect our grasp of racial disparities and might hide even bigger differences than what we see in reports.
States not reporting race data
The CDC receives race and ethnicity data that meets reporting standards from just 32 reporting areas (31 states plus DC). California, one of America's most racially diverse states with strong abortion protections, doesn't share this data.
The national picture remains incomplete because four states – California, Maryland, New Hampshire, and New Jersey – make up about 20% of all U.S. abortions but don't submit data to CDC.
Inconsistent definitions and reporting standards
Many states use abortion reporting forms that don't align with CDC's technical guidance. Each state's compliance with reporting requirements varies significantly. Some reporting areas skip certain requested variables or report them differently. The data might miss many medication abortions and procedures done in doctors' offices rather than hospitals.
How underreporting affects national trends
National surveys capture only 40% of actual abortions. The reporting rates show stark racial differences – White women report 71% of their actual abortions, while Black women report just 24%.
These gaps create skewed statistics that can misdirect research and policy decisions. National data misses about 11% of all pregnancies due to abortion underreporting, and this number jumps to 18% for Black women.
Conclusion
Black women have the highest abortion rates in the United States. The numbers show they get abortions 4.3 times more often than White women. Hispanic women's rates fall between these two groups. These differences point to deeper social and economic issues rather than just demographics.
Abortion rates have dropped for all racial groups in the last decade. The gap between races has grown wider instead of smaller. The mechanisms that cause these differences haven't been fixed. Money problems, limited healthcare access, birth control availability, and systemic racism all play a role in these ongoing differences.
State laws on abortion don't affect all women equally. Women of color face the biggest impact from restrictive abortion laws. This hits Black women especially hard – 57% of reproductive-age Black women live in states that ban or might ban abortion soon. Many women of color can't handle the money and planning needed to travel to other states for abortion care.
The data we have about abortions isn't complete. Major states like California don't report their numbers. Black women's cases often go unreported. The actual differences between races could be much larger than what we know now.
The end of Roe v. Wade has without doubt made these differences worse. Abortion rates were going down before this ruling. Now your location and bank account determine if you can get reproductive healthcare.
America's abortion debate must face these racial differences head-on. The problems are systemic and won't go away until we fix economic inequality, healthcare barriers, and deeper social issues. These gaps will stay whatever the laws say.
FAQs
Q1. Which racial group has the highest abortion rate in the United States?
Black women have the highest abortion rate, at 24.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years. This rate is approximately 4.3 times higher than that of White women.
Q2. How have abortion rates changed over the past decade?
Overall abortion rates have declined across all racial groups between 2013 and 2022. However, racial disparities have persisted and even widened in some cases. The total number of reported abortions decreased by 5% during this period.
Q3. What factors contribute to racial disparities in abortion rates?
Several factors contribute to these disparities, including economic inequality, limited healthcare access, differences in contraceptive availability and education, and systemic racism. These issues create barriers to reproductive healthcare that disproportionately affect women of color.
Q4. How do state-level policies impact abortion access for different racial groups?
State abortion restrictions disproportionately affect women of color. For instance, over 57% of Black women of reproductive age live in states that have banned or are likely to ban abortion. These restrictions create additional barriers, including the need for cross-state travel, which can be particularly challenging for economically disadvantaged women.
Q5. What are the limitations in current abortion data collection by race?
There are significant limitations in abortion data collection. Only 32 reporting areas provide race and ethnicity data to the CDC that meet reporting standards. Additionally, there's substantial underreporting, particularly among Black women, who report only about 24% of their actual abortions in national surveys. These limitations may mask even greater racial disparities than currently reported.
