Number of late-term abortions rises sharply after Denmark extends legal limit

The number of women in Denmark having abortions between weeks 12 and 17 of pregnancy increased by 46 percent last year, according to new figures from the Danish Health Data Authority, following a change in the legal time limit.

Data reported by public broadcaster DR shows 505 women underwent abortions in that later period in 2025, compared with 345 in 2024. The increase follows a June 2024 decision by the Danish parliament to raise the legal abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks—the first such change in 50 years.

Maria Cathrine Schmidt, a senior consultant and chair of the Danish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (DSOG), said the rise was expected. “It shows the legislation is doing what it was intended to do,” she told DR. Under the new rules, women no longer require approval for abortions between weeks 12 and 17, a process previously handled by regional abortion boards.

Schmidt noted that the change gives women more time to make an informed decision, particularly after the 12-week nuchal translucency scan—a key prenatal test that previously coincided with the legal cutoff. “The shift has allowed couples the time to reach a well-considered decision,” she said.

Overall abortion numbers in Denmark saw only a slight increase of 1.7 percent, from 16,440 in 2024 to 16,720 in 2025. The reform also included establishing a national abortion board to replace five regional panels and allowing 15- to 17-year-olds to seek abortions without parental consent.

When the law was passed in May 2024, Health Minister Sophie Løhde (Venstre) stated that the update aligned with modern medical practice. “After 50 years, it’s time for abortion rules to reflect the times and strengthen women’s right to self-determination,” she said. The Danish Health Authority had previously assessed that raising the limit would not lead to significantly more or later abortions, citing experiences from other countries with higher thresholds.

Opposition parties, including the Danish People’s Party, the Conservatives, the Liberal Alliance, and the Denmark Democrats, voted against the change. Conservative spokesperson Mette Abildgaard argued the debate overlooked “what is growing in the womb,” while Susie Jensen of the Denmark Democrats emphasized concerns about fetal development and the emotional impact on medical staff.