Abortion rate in Russia falls 3.5-fold in decade – Health Ministry

The number of abortions in Russia has decreased by more than 3.5 times over the past decade, according to data released by the Health Ministry on Tuesday. Officials have linked the trend to policy measures, including financial incentives for families, restrictions on abortion, and support for larger households and regional cooperation aimed at improving birth rates in the country.

Elena Sheshko, Director of the Department of Medical Care for Children, Maternity Services, and Public Health at the Health Ministry, stated that “Over the past ten years, we have seen a more than 3.5-fold reduction in the number of abortions. This is a key factor in supporting birth rates,” she said.

Abortions in Russia remain legal and are available on request up to the 12th week of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical and social reasons. However, the government has implemented measures to discourage the procedure, including mandatory waiting periods and counselling. Lawmakers have proposed additional policies, such as requiring private clinics to report abortion statistics and integrating abortion procedures into the Mandatory Health Insurance system to improve oversight. Some politicians have suggested further restrictions, but proposals for an outright ban have not gained significant traction…