Norway after the abortion law change. We know the number of procedures
The number of abortions has increased in Norway. Data from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) show a slight rise between 2024 and 2025. The biggest change concerns women aged 25-29.
Data on the reasons for abortion after June 1, 2025, are not comparable with the previous period due to changes in legal conditions.
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In 2025, 13,210 abortions were performed in Norway. The year before, there were 12,840. The abortion rate was 10.6 per 1,000 women aged 15-49. FHI emphasizes that the rate should be considered in the analysis, as the population is growing.
Increase after years of decline
According to FHI, the number of abortions began to rise in 2022. This was the first increase since 2008. In 2019, the abortion rate fell below 10 per 1,000 women for the first time. In 2025, it was 10.6.
Mette Løkeland-Stai from the FHI Abortion Registry points to a link with the number of births. When the number of births increases, the number of abortions usually rises as well. This pattern is also visible in the 2025 data. FHI announces further monitoring of changes.
Mette Løkeland-Stai from the FHI Abortion Registry points to a link with the number of births. When the number of births increases, the number of abortions usually rises as well. This pattern is also visible in the 2025 data. FHI announces further monitoring of changes.
Cases rejected by the committee are automatically referred to the appeals committee.Photo: stock.adobe.com/standard license
Differences between regions and age groups
The highest rates were recorded in Finnmark, Troms, and Oslo. In Finnmark, it was 16.8 abortions per 1,000 women. In Troms, the rate was 13.8. In Oslo, it was 11.7. The lowest figures were reported for Agder, Rogaland, and Møre og Romsdal.
In Agder, the rate was 8.3. In Rogaland, it was 8.5. In Møre og Romsdal, 9.4 abortions per 1,000 women were recorded. In the 15–19 age group, the rate increased from 4.4 in 2020 to 6.9 in 2025. The biggest change was in the 25–29 age group. The rate rose from 16.5 to 18 per 1,000 women.
In the 20–24 age group, there was a slight decrease. The rate dropped from 16.1 in 2024 to 15.9 in 2025. Nine out of ten abortions were performed by the end of the 10th week of pregnancy. The same proportion applied to medical abortions. Seven out of ten medical abortions before the 10th week were completed outside the hospital.
In Agder, the rate was 8.3. In Rogaland, it was 8.5. In Møre og Romsdal, 9.4 abortions per 1,000 women were recorded. In the 15–19 age group, the rate increased from 4.4 in 2020 to 6.9 in 2025. The biggest change was in the 25–29 age group. The rate rose from 16.5 to 18 per 1,000 women.
In the 20–24 age group, there was a slight decrease. The rate dropped from 16.1 in 2024 to 15.9 in 2025. Nine out of ten abortions were performed by the end of the 10th week of pregnancy. The same proportion applied to medical abortions. Seven out of ten medical abortions before the 10th week were completed outside the hospital.
Since June 1, 2025, Norway has a new limit for abortion on request. It has been extended from the 12th to the 18th week of pregnancy. In 2025, 392 proceedings were conducted before the committee. Before June 1, 301 cases were approved, and after that date, consent was granted 91 times. All applications except one were accepted by the first committee.
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