How many deaths annually are attributed to unsafe abortions?

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Approximately 39,000 Deaths Annually Are Attributed to Unsafe Abortions

Globally, an estimated 39,000 deaths occur each year as a result of unsafe, or "backstreet," abortions. This figure highlights the precarious nature of abortion access worldwide, with only a fraction of women of reproductive age living in countries where the procedure is readily available on demand.
Limited Access to Legal Abortions

According to the Centre for Reproductive Rights (CRR) advocacy group, a significant disparity exists in global access to safe abortion services. Only 34 percent of women of reproductive age reside in countries that permit abortion on demand. This limited access forces many women to seek clandestine procedures, leading to the substantial annual death toll.
Global Trends in Abortion Laws

While over 60 countries have liberalised their abortion laws in the past three decades, with France recently enshrining the right in its constitution and Mexico's Supreme Court decriminalising the procedure, numerous nations maintain strict bans or severe restrictions. Around 20 countries, predominantly in Africa and Latin America, still outlaw abortion entirely.
Impact of Restrictions and Bans

Countries like El Salvador and Honduras have total bans, with El Salvador imposing prison sentences of up to eight years even when a woman's life is in danger. In Europe, only Andorra and the Vatican City maintain total bans, while Malta permits abortion only in life-threatening situations for the mother or when the foetus has no chance of survival. Poland and Hungary have also tightened their laws, requiring more stringent conditions or procedures for women seeking abortions. The United States has also seen a significant rollback, with the Supreme Court's 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade allowing individual states to ban or heavily restrict the procedure, leading to varied access across the country.

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How many deaths annually are attributed to unsafe abortions?

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