New Department of Health data says the number of abortions taking place in England and Wales is at a record high, with 2023 figures showing 277,970 abortions took place. The year prior, 251,377 abortions were recorded and a decade earlier in 2013, the figure sat at 185,331.
Around half of the women (54%) who had an abortion in 2023 said they already have children and cited the cost of living crisis, along with astronomical childcare fees, as part of the reason as to why they did not want to expand their family.
On average, it costs over £12,000 for a full-time nursery place in England and Scotland, with fees rising to over £14,000 in Wales. Many areas are struggling with provision, too.
The majority of terminations (89%) happened during the early stages of pregnancy and 72% of women opted for the pills-by-post method, allowing them to go through the process in the comfort of their own home following an in-depth phone consultation.
A similar story is also playing out in Scotland: in March 2024, the charity Pregnant Then Screwed found 40% of Scottish women have terminated a pregnancy, referencing childcare as the primary reason why.
When Cosmopolitan previously reported on the impact of childcare costs in relation abortion, Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, said: "With childcare fees outstripping the cost of housing for more than two-thirds of families, almost half of families are borrowing money to pay their childcare bills.
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"If we aren't careful, becoming a parent will be a luxury item, and the economy can't afford to pay that price."
The total cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 is now estimated at around £260,000 for a couple and £290,000 for a lone parent – another record high driven by costs rising faster than incomes.
To maintain a stable population without migration, a topic that is currently sparking deep political divisions, a fertility rate of about 2.1 children per woman is needed; England and Wales's fertility rate sat at 1.44 in 2023, below replacement level, underscoring how economic and social pressures are reshaping family size.
Brearley added, "When you invest in mothers you invest in the economy, but without affordable childcare mothers will continue to quit their jobs or reduce their hours to be able to afford to have children."
Commenting on the new abortion figures, leading abortion provider MSI Reproductive Choices UK said that NHS cuts has also meant it is harder to access contraception, resulting in the rise.
Sarah Salkeld, MSI Reproductive Choices’ deputy UK medical director, said, "Today’ s abortion statistics for England and Wales don’t exist in isolation. They reflect over a decade of cuts to contraception and sexual health services, ongoing pressures on the NHS, and the impact of rising living costs, all of which disproportionately impact women and others on the lowest incomes.
"The figures also demonstrate why access and choice matter. People of all ages and backgrounds rely on abortion care, and it’s vital that services offer options that reflect their personal circumstances. Being able to access medical abortion at home has allowed many to receive care earlier, with greater privacy and dignity.
"For those in abusive relationships, juggling caring responsibilities, and those without transport, it has been life-changing. At the same time, face-to-face care and surgical services remain essential for some people. There is no right or wrong number of abortions; what matters is that everyone who is considering an abortion can make the decision that is right for them."
According to the Office of National Statistics, the total fertility rate (TFR) in England and Wales has hit a record low, falling to 1.44 children per woman.
In 2023, England and Wales recorded 591,072 live births – down by 14,407 on the year before and marking the lowest birth rate since 1977. The decline in birthrates has been evident since 2012.
Last year, Cosmopolitan UK campaigned to End 1861, an archaic law that sees abortion treated as a healthcare issue rather than a criminal one within England and Wales' legal system. Despite the Abortion Act 1967 allowing access under strict conditions, abortion was still technically illegal under Victorian-era legislation, with women facing the threat of prosecution for ending their own pregnancies.
In June 2025, MPs voted to remove abortion from criminal law as part of the Crime and Policing Bill by an overwhelming majority – a landmark moment for reproductive rights that means women will no longer be criminalised, while abortion continues to be regulated as healthcare.
The change followed widespread public support and backing from more than 30 women’s rights and medical organisations, including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and MSI Reproductive Choices.
Now, the bill must complete its passage through Parliament (including approval by the House of Lords and receiving Royal Assent) before the change formally comes into force.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
