The MAP of the World Discussion Act is the final recording of the legal status of abortion in countries around the world. The Center for Productive Rights has created this card as a resource for lawyers, government officials and organizations of civil society that is for promoting abortion rights asConcern human rights for women and girls,*around the world. The map categorizes the legal status of abortion on a continuum of serious restriction to relative liberality. It is updated in real time and reflects the changes in national laws so that human rights lawyers how countries protect or deny reproductive rights around the world- can monitor.
*Although this resource uses both female pronouns and the term “women and girls”, we recognize that people who do not identify themselves as women also need access to abortion.
Additional resources
The world abdominal laws for abortion laws include additional instruments and resources to support lawyers and political decision -makers in promoting the abortion reform.
- Full text of the abortion laws of the 50 countries that are available on the map by viewing countries
- Abortion rights are human rights
- Acceleration of progress
- Recent developments
A list of countries classified according to their abortion lawDownload a PDF of the card.
methodology
The categorizations on the map reflect a strict reading of the black letter law applicable in each country. The abortion laws are classified according to provisions in national statues, legal provisions and court decisions. Ministerial guidelines are not used to categorize the legal status of abortion, beBecause, they have the legal power.Ashurst, DLA Piper, Gomez-Pinzon Abogados and White & Case provided Pro-Bono support when checking the laws of each country with legal interpretations that are practiced by lawyers in every country when they are availableFor the programs of the map, “countries” include independent states and in which the population groups exceed a million, semi -autonomous regions, territories and jurisdiction of special status.
Acceleration of progress
In the past few decades, monumental profits have been achieved to secure the right of women to abortion, with almost 50 countries liberalized their abortion laws. Part of this reform was incremental and made it possible for women to only access legal abortion if their lives are threatenedOr if pregnancy results from rape. However, many of these changes were really transformative and stormed absolute bans for abortion in favor of the reproductive autonomy of women.
View 25 years of progress:
The following infographic shows the change in the abortion laws of the federal states in the past 25 years using the color bubic of the world abdominal law., these are reflected by labeled icons.

More information
Abortion rights are human rights
The right to safe and legal abortion is a fundamental human right that is protected under numerous international and regional human rights contracts and constitutions at the national level around the world. This instruments form a safe abortion in a constellation of rights, including life rights;Privacy; equality and non -discrimination and freedom of cruel, inhumane and humiliating treatment.
970 million women who represent 59% of women of reproductive age live in countries that all over the entire abortion. During a majority of women in countries in which they can exercise their right to abortion, 41 percent of women liveunder restrictive laws. The inability to gain access to safe and legal abortion care affects 700 million women of a reproductive age. The world health organization dies 23,000 women every year from unsafe abortions and tens of thousands of more health complications.Do not lead to fewer abortions, but forcing women to risk their lives and their health by looking for uncertain abortion care.
The legal status of abortion shows more than just where women and girls can decide on a pregnancy time at a time of pregnancy.Limits of women and girls to participate in public and political life. Shortly, the persecution of the legal status of abortion shows us where women and girls are treated with equality and the opportunity to lead the course of their own life.
More information
Guidelines for the right of abortion and political guidelines
Our guide for abortion rights and politics shows international and regional human rights standards, global medical standards and comparison laws and guidelines on the following topics:
- Legal reason for abortion
- Liability
- Health measures
- Broad social or economic reasons
- On demand
- Rape and incidental exceptions
- Liability and impairments of the fetus
- Pregnancy limits
- Accessibility, acceptance, availability and quality framework
- Right to information
- letter of acceptance
- Medical abortion
- Teenager
- Authorization of third -party providers
- crime
- Conscientious objection
Recent developments
The Center for Productive Rights pursues the latest developments in abortion law and in politics.
- NSW with the rest of the Australian states in the decriminalization of abortion and abortion on request of up to 22 weeks.
- Oaxaca becomes the second state in Mexico, which decreased abortion.
- The British Parliament mostly vote for the adoption of legislative regulations that extend the abortion rights to Northern Ireland and legalize same -sex marriage
- Kenya's top judicial rules for the withdrawal of the standards and guidelines from 2012 to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity from an insecure abortion in Kenya illegally and keeps abortion legally lawfully for both physical and mental health.
- Iceland has one of the most liberal abortion laws in Europe and allows abortion on request for up to 22 weeks.
- North -Macedonia eliminates regressive obstacles to abortion and extends the pregnancy limit to 12 weeks to the abortion on request, which makes abortion care for women in North Macedonia more accessible.
- The South Korean Constitutional Court keeps the laws of a restrictive abortion law unconstitutional and gave the legislators the adoption of new laws to legalize abortion.
Explanation of the categories of abortion laws
Category 1. Banned overall

The laws of the countries in this category do not allow abortion under no circumstances, even if the life or health of women is endangered.24 countries fall into this category worldwide.
91 million (6%) womenof reproductive age live in countries that prohibit abortion as a whole.
Category II. To save a woman's life

The laws of the countries in this category allow abortion if the life of women is at risk.41 Countries fall into this category.
358 million (22%) womenIn reproductive age, living in countries that enable abortion to save the life of women.
Create category III. Health

The laws of the countries in this category enable abortion based on health or therapeutic reasons. 48 Countries fall into this category
186 million (12%) of womenof reproductive age live in countries that enable abortion for health reasons.
Category IV. Width of social or economic reasons

These laws are generally generously interpreted in order to enable abortion under a wide range of circumstances. This countries often take into account the actual or reasonably predictable environment of a woman and her social or economic circumstances in order to check the possible effects of pregnancy and birth.13 countries fall into this category.
386 million (24%) of womenof reproductive age live in countries that enable abortion for broad social or economic reasons.
Category V on request (pregnancy boundaries vary)

576 million (36%) womenof reproductive age in countries that enable abortion on request.75 countries fall into this category worldwide.
The most common pregnancy limit for countries in this category is 12 weeks. The pregnancy boundaries are calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period, which appear as an occurrence two weeks before conception.these limit values were extended by two weeks.
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FAQs
What was the ruling on Roe versus Wade? ›
The Roe v. Wade Ruling, 1973. In its 1973 decision Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court recognized that the right to liberty in the Constitution, which protects personal privacy, includes the right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy.
What all did Roe v. Wade protect? ›The Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1973, decriminalized abortion nationwide. It protected the right to access abortion legally all across the country, and freed many patients to access the care they needed when they needed it — without fear.
Does the 9th Amendment protect abortion? ›The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976, prohibits government funding for abortions with exceptions for rape, incest, or danger to the woman's life (ACLU, 2004). The right to privacy implicit in the Ninth Amend- ment is alive and well in today's world and has an effect on every life in America.
Why is reproductive rights important? ›Reproductive rights are essential for women to enjoy their human rights. These rights are centered on women's ability to make the best choices for their lives, including around the number of children they have, if any, and the spacing between their children's births.
What amendment does Roe v. Wade go against? ›The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects against state action the right to privacy, and a woman's right to choose to have an abortion falls within that right to privacy. A state law that broadly prohibits abortion without respect to the stage of pregnancy or other interests violates that right.
Why did the Supreme Court overturn Roe vs Wade? ›On Friday, the Supreme Court determined that women do not have a Constitutional right to choose whether to terminate their pregnancies and overturned the 50-year precedent established in Roe v.
When was Roe v. Wade decided? › What was the outcome of Roe v. Wade quizlet? ›Court ruled with a 7-2 decision in 1973 for Jane Roe that a woman's right to an abortion fell within the right to privacy protected by the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits states from "depriv[ing] any person of liberty without due process of law."
Which is a main idea in the Ninth Amendment? ›The Ninth Amendment clearly rebutted the possible presumption that enumeration of some rights precluded the recognition of others. By its terms, it provides that the enumeration of specific rights should not be “construed to deny or disparage” other rights.
What does the 14th Amendment say about abortions? ›No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Why is 9th Amendment ignored? ›
Historically, the courts have mostly ignored the Ninth Amendment, only citing it as a way to read the Constitution rather than an explicit right. However, Griswold v. Connecticut opened up the possibility of using the Amendment to expand the rights of the people beyond what the Constitution lists.
Why is the 9th Amendment confusing? ›NINTH AMENDMENT The 9th Amendment to the US Constitution is one of the least referred to amendments in decisions of the Supreme Court. It is also one of the most confusing, controversial and misunderstood amendments to the Constitution. This amendment reserves all rights not listed in the Constitution to the people.
Is it a human right to reproduce? ›The right to reproductive choice means that women have a right to choose whether or not to reproduce, including the right to decide whether to carry or terminate an unwanted pregnancy and the right to choose their preferred method of family planning and contraception.
What is an example of reproductive rights? ›The Right to Decide Whether or When to Have Children
This includes the right of persons to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have access to related information and education.
– The Right to Life – The Right to Liberty and Security of the Person – The Right to Health – The Right to Decide the Number and Spacing of Children – The Right to Consent to Marriage and Equality in Marriage – The Right to Privacy – The Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination – The Right to be Free from Practices ...
Does Roe v. Wade violate the 9th Amendment? ›The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas agreed, and ruled that the Texas law violated Roe's right to privacy found in the Ninth Amendment, and was therefore unconstitutional.
Did Roe vs Wade become an amendment to the Constitution? ›...
Roe v. Wade | |
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Decision | Opinion |
Case history |
Not under the U.S. Constitution, according to the current Supreme Court. In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022), the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (1973), which guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion.
Can the Supreme Court be overruled? ›As there is no court in the United States with more authority than the US Supreme Court, a Supreme Court ruling cannot be overturned by any other court, though the Supreme Court can overturn its own rulings.
Why is it called Roe versus Wade? ›Roe v. Wade was named for "Jane Roe" — an alias for a Texas resident named Norma McCorvey — and Henry Wade, who was the district attorney for Dallas County, Texas. In 1969, McCorvey was denied an abortion because her pregnancy didn't pose a medical risk to her life.
Did Roe v. Wade establish when life begins? ›
The Supreme Court's 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that established a constitutional right to abortion did not define a moment when life begins.
Why was Roe v. Wade controversial quizlet? ›More specifically the case challenged the laws which forbid doctors from attempting abortions unless the mothers life was in danger. The laws previously instated laws incriminated and infuriated doctors who were in trouble under the law for performing abortions.
What was the Roe v. Wade biggest impact on American society quizlet? ›What was the Roe v. Wade decision's biggest impact on American society? It divided Americans more than any other issue of the women's movement.
What would likely happen if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade quizlet? ›If the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, b. the authority to regulate abortion would fall to the states.
What rights are not listed in the Constitution? ›The Supreme Court has found that unenumerated rights include such important rights as the right to travel, the right to vote, and the right to keep personal matters private.
Is the 10th Amendment still relevant today? ›So why does it matter? In brief, because it is the main constitutional provision recognizing federalism. Dividing power between the states and the federal government to protect individual liberty was a basic premise of the original constitutional design, and it is one that remains with us today.
Why is the 9th Amendment important today? ›Because the rights protected by the Ninth Amendment are not specified, they are referred to as “unenumerated.” The Supreme Court has found that unenumerated rights include such important rights as the right to travel, the right to vote, the right to keep personal matters private and to make important decisions about ...
Is a fetus protected by the 14th Amendment? ›The Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld that law in its May 2022 decision, relying in part on Roe v. Wade, to find that fetuses are not entitled to protection under the 14th Amendment and that they were not “persons” who could bring legal claims.
Does the 14th Amendment protect gender? ›Though it technically does not make gender discrimination illegal, the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees people of all genders equal treatment and due process under the law. Other statutes, like the Civil Rights Act, make gender discrimination illegal more directly.
What does the 14th Amendment not protect? ›When the 14th Amendment passed in 1868, it was intended to give former slaves equal protection and voting rights under the law; it was not meant to protect women. In fact, it specified equality for male slaves, female slaves were excluded as were all women, regardless of race.
What is the 11th Amendment? ›
The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
How does the 9th Amendment apply to Roe v Wade? ›In 1973, the court decided in Roe v. Wade that the constitutional right to privacy allowed for abortions, even though it was not explicitly listed. The idea comes from the 9th and 14th Amendments.
Do the 9th and 10th Amendment contradict each other? ›Whereas the Ninth Amendment provides that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage other unenumerated rights retained by the people, the Tenth Amendment clearly reserves to the states those powers that the Constitution neither delegates to the federal government nor prohibits to ...
Why did the Founding Fathers add the 10th Amendment? ›The 10th amendment was written to ensure states would retain their sovereignty and to prevent the government from denying the people their individual freedoms. James Madison, who would later go on to become the nation's fourth President, introduced the 10th Amendment to Congress.
What is the 12th Amendment? ›Passed by Congress December 9, 1803, and ratified June 15, 1804, the 12th Amendment provided for separate Electoral College votes for President and Vice President, correcting weaknesses in the earlier electoral system which were responsible for the controversial Presidential Election of 1800.
What is the 10th Amendment called? ›By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq. | Last updated July 27, 2022. Passed by Congress in 1789 and ratified in 1791, the Tenth Amendment is the last in the group of Constitutional Amendments known as the Bill of Rights.
Do babies have the right to be born? ›Human dignity shall be inviolable. Every human being shall have the right to life and human dignity; the life of the foetus shall be protected from the moment of conception. The unborn shall be considered as born for all rights accorded within the limits established by law.
Do children have the right to be born? ›The inalienable right to life or the right to be born embodies several different distinct human rights. These include (1) the right to be conceived or, of parents, to reproduce; (2) the right to be safely implanted in the uterus; and (3) the right to live and not to be aborted.
Do we need to reproduce? ›Reproduction keeps organisms of all types from going extinct. Reproduction is not required for an individual to carry out life processes, although it does aid in population growth. Reproduction is critical in the evolution of species through genetic recombination.
What are the 3 categories of reproduction rights? ›Reproductive rights consist of three broad categories of rights: (1) rights to reproductive self-determination, (2) rights to sexual and reproductive health services, information, and education, and (3) rights to equality and nondiscrimination.
Who fought for reproductive rights? ›
Women like Margaret Sanger and Mary Ware Dennett were early proponents of women's right to contraception and sex education. Though they were met with great resistance, their efforts allowed for members of later generations to discuss birth control as an option.
How are reproductive rights human rights? ›Sexual and reproductive health and rights—including the right of women, girls, and people who can become pregnant to make their own decisions about their own bodies—are grounded in human rights to life, equality, privacy, and bodily integrity under international law.
What rights do females have? ›These rights include the right to live free from violence, slavery, and discrimination; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn a fair and equal wage. As the now-famous saying goes, “women's rights are human rights.” That is to say, women are entitled to all of these rights.
What are the reproductive rights issues? ›Reproductive rights include prenatal services, safe childbirth, and access to contraception. They also include access to legal and safe abortion. Abortion bans violate the rights to be free from violence, to privacy, to family, to health, and even the right to life.
What was the ruling on abortion in the US? ›In overturning Roe v. Wade, a 1973 ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion, the Supreme Court left it to each of the 50 states to decide whether to allow the procedure.
What does Roe vs Wade overturned mean 2022? ›The decision overturned the longstanding Constitutional right to abortion and eliminated federal standards on abortion access that had been established by earlier decisions in the cases, Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
Who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade? ›Jackson Women's Health Organization. Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion, joined by four other conservatives. The three liberal justices opposed the decision. Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the majority to uphold the Mississippi abortion restrictions but did not approve of tossing out Roe altogether.
Why overturning Roe v. Wade is a good thing? ›Overturning Roe v Wade allowed the divided individual states to independently decide the legal parameters regarding abortion care. A decision that disproportionately effects the reproductive lives of women residing on the land of America.
How did abortion laws change in America? ›The 1960s gave rise to abortion law reform. In the late 1960s, 11 states liberalized their abortion laws. And in 1973, the Supreme Court established the legal right to access abortion nationwide with its landmark decision in the Roe v. Wade case.
Which country legalized abortion first? ›1960s. 1964 – In Norway the first law to legalize abortion was passed. It allowed abortion in cases of danger to the mother, and the abortion decision was made by two doctors. 1965 – Griswold v.
What does it mean for a fetus to be viable? ›
According to Websters Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, viable of a fetus it means having reached such a stage of development as to be capable of living, under normal conditions, outside the uterus.
Can the Supreme Court overturn Roe vs Wade? ›In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022), the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (1973), which guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion.
How many voted to overturn Roe? ›Four of the five Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed abortion rights nationwide, are men.
How many Supreme Court justices voted to overturn Roe v. Wade? ›Trump nominated three of the five conservative Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. That trio provided the margin of victory in the decision, which revoked the constitutional right to abortion that had existed for nearly a half-century.
Which Supreme justices overturned Roe? ›Justices Clarence Thomas , Neil Gorsuch , Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett joined Alito in the majority. The ruling tracks a draft majority opinion Politico obtained and published May 3.
What was the Supreme Court Roe vote? ›Politico Logo
The Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito circulated inside the court and obtained by POLITICO.
If the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, b. the authority to regulate abortion would fall to the states.
How is Roe v. Wade unconstitutional? ›In Roe v. Wade, the Court ruled that a state law that banned abortions except to save the life of the mother was unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Why was Roe v. Wade a controversial case quizlet? ›More specifically the case challenged the laws which forbid doctors from attempting abortions unless the mothers life was in danger. The laws previously instated laws incriminated and infuriated doctors who were in trouble under the law for performing abortions.