More abortions performed later in pregnancy after Denmark raises limit

Denmark has observed a rise in abortions carried out later in pregnancy following the recent extension of the legal limit. Preliminary figures from the Danish Health Data Authority indicate that more pregnant individuals are opting for abortions after the 12th week of gestation.

The nation's abortion limit was expanded from the end of week 12 to the end of week 18, with the new regulations taking effect on June 1, 2025. In the year preceding this change, Denmark recorded a total of 16,615 induced abortions. Of these, 364 occurred between weeks 12 and 17. In the subsequent year, from June 2025 to May 2026, the total number of induced abortions was 16,575, but the number performed after week 12 rose to 537.

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The small shifts in timing seem entirely predictable. There is absolutely nothing surprising about it.

This shift represents an approximate 47 percent increase in abortions performed after the 12th week, even as the overall number of abortions has remained relatively stable. Professor and chief physician Olav Bennike Bjørn Petersen from Rigshospitalet's gynecology department stated that these figures are not surprising. He suggested the changes are predictable and align with arguments for raising the limit, which previously fell during the period when expectant mothers undergo first-trimester screenings.

These screenings, offered to all pregnant women between weeks 11 and 14, detect serious fetal malformations and assess the likelihood of common chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome. Petersen believes the trend indicates that more women are waiting until after this scan to make a decision about their pregnancy. He emphasized that the vast majority of abortions still occur before week 12, and he does not anticipate the new rules will significantly alter this pattern, as most women who decide against continuing a pregnancy do so early on.

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I am not worried that women are changing their minds and preferring to choose a later abortion. The vast majority of those who find out early that they do not want to continue the pregnancy complete the termination early.