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World Abortion Laws and Policies

World Abortion Laws and Policies
Country namewomans lifephysical healthmental healthRape or incestFoetal impairmentEconomic or social reasonsOn requestNote
AfghanistanYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
AlbaniaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
AlgeriaYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
AndorraYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
AngolaYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
Antigua and BarbudaYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
ArgentinaYesYesYesYesNoNoNoAbortion permitted in the case of rape of a woman with a mental disability
ArmeniaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 14 weeks
AustraliaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesAbortion law is determined at the state level and is governed by various state laws and, in some states, court decisions. The most restrictive laws allow abortion to be performed to save the life of the woman and to preserve her physical and mental health; one state with the most liberal law allows abortion on request.
AustriaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
AzerbaijanYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Bahamas, TheYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
BahrainYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
BangladeshYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
BarbadosYesYesYesYesYesYesNoParental authorization/notification required
BelarusYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
BelgiumYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 14 weeks
BelizeYesYesYesNoYesYesNo
BeninYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
BhutanYesNoNoNoYesNoNo
BoliviaYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
Bosnia and HerzegovinaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
BotswanaYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
BrazilYesNoNoYesNoNoNo
BruneiYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
BulgariaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Burkina FasoYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
BurundiYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
CambodiaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 14 weeks
CameroonYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
CanadaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesLaw does not indicate gestational limit; regulatory mechanisms vary
Cape VerdeYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Central African RepublicYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
ChadYesYesNoNoYesNoNo
ChileNoNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries have been amended to remove all indications relevant to the legal performance of abortions; however, it is not clear whether a defense of necessity might be allowed to justify an abortion performed to save the life of the woman.
ChinaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesLaw does not indicate gestational limit; regulatory mechanisms vary; Sex selective abortion prohibited
ColombiaYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
ComorosYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
Congo, Republic of theYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
Congo, Democratic Republic of theYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
Cook IslandsYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
Costa RicaYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
Côte d'IvoireYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
CroatiaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
CubaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
CyprusYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
Czech RepublicYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
DenmarkYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
DjiboutiYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
DominicaYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Dominican RepublicYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
EcuadorYesYesYesYesNoNoNoAbortion permitted in the case of rape of a woman with a mental disability
EgyptYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
El SalvadorNoNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries have been amended to remove all indications relevant to the legal performance of abortions; however, it is not clear whether a defense of necessity might be allowed to justify an abortion performed to save the life of the woman.
Equatorial GuineaYesYesYesNoNoNoNoSpousal/Parental authorization/notification required
EritreaYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
EstoniaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
EthiopiaYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
Micronesia, Federated States ofYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
FijiYesYesYesNoNoYesNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
FinlandYesYesYesYesYesYesNo
FranceYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 14 weeks
GabonYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
Gambia, TheYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
GeorgiaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
GermanyYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 14 weeks
GhanaYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
GreeceYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
GrenadaYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
GuatemalaYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
GuineaYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
Guinea-BissauYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
GuyanaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
HaitiYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
Holy See (Vatican City)NoNoNoNoNoNoNoRefers to the Vatican City State.
HondurasYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe penal code makes no exceptions to the general prohibition on the performance of abortions; the Code of Medical Ethics, however, allows abortions to be performed for therapeutic purposes.
HungaryYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
IcelandYesYesYesYesYesYesNo
IndiaYesYesYesYesYesYesNo
IndonesiaYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
IranYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
IraqYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
IrelandYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
IsraelYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
ItalyYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 90 days; Parental authorization/notification required
JamaicaYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds. Parental authorization/notification require.
JapanYesYesYesYesNoYesNoThe law contains no specific reference to abortions performed on grounds of mental health or in the case of foetal impairment. However, since the law allows abortions for economic or social reasons, mental health and foetal impairment are presumably covered by this ground. Spousal/Parental authorization/notification required
JordanYesYesYesNoYesNoNo
KazakhstanYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
KenyaYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
KiribatiYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Korea, NorthYesYesYesYesYesYesYesLaw does not indicate gestational limit; regulatory mechanisms vary
Korea, SouthYesYesYesYesYesNoNoSpousal/Parental authorization/notification required
KuwaitYesYesYesNoYesNoNoSpousal/Parental authorization/notification required
KyrgyzstanYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
LaosYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
LatviaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
LebanonYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
LesothoYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
LiberiaYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
LibyaYesNoNoNoNoNoNoParental authorization/notification required
LiechtensteinYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
LithuaniaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
LuxembourgYesYesYesYesYesYesNoParental authorization/notification required
Macedonia [FYROM]YesYesYesYesYesYesYes
MadagascarYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
MalawiYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. Spousal authorization required.
MalaysiaYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
MaldivesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoSpousal/Parental authorization/notification required
MaliYesNoNoYesNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
MaltaNoNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries have been amended to remove all indications relevant to the legal performance of abortions; however, it is not clear whether a defense of necessity might be allowed to justify an abortion performed to save the life of the woman.
Marshall IslandsYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
MauritaniaYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
MauritiusYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
MexicoYesNoNoYesNoNoNoAbortion law is determined at the state level. The grounds checked refer only to the Federal Penal Code; some states allow abortions to be performed on the following grounds: to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, in the case of foetal impairment, and for economic or social reasons.
MonacoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
MongoliaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
MontenegroYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
MoroccoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoSpousal/Parental authorization/notification required
MozambiqueYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
BurmaYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
NamibiaYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
NauruYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
NepalYesYesYesYesYesYesYesSex selective abortion prohibited
NetherlandsYesYesYesYesYesYesYesLaw does not limit pre-viability abortion
New ZealandYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
NicaraguaNoNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries have been amended to remove all indications relevant to the legal performance of abortions; however, it is not clear whether a defense of necessity might be allowed to justify an abortion performed to save the life of the woman.
NigerYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
NigeriaYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNigeria has two abortion laws: one for the northern states and one for the southern states. Both laws specifically allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman. In addition, in the southern states, the decision of R. v. Bourne is applied, which allows abortions to be performed for physical and mental health reasons.
NiueYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
NorwayYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
OmanYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
PakistanYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe law allows abortion to be performed to save the life of the woman or to provide necessary treatment. The law does not indicate which abortions constitute necessary treatment.
PalauYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
PanamaYesYesYesYesNoNoNoParental authorization/notification required
Papua New GuineaYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
ParaguayYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
PeruYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
PhilippinesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
PolandYesYesYesYesYesNoNoParental authorization/notification required
PortugalYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 10 weeks; Parental authorization/notification required
Puerto RicoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesLaw does not limit pre-viability abortion
QatarYesYesYesNoYesNoNo
MoldovaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
RomaniaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 14 weeks
RussiaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
RwandaYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
Saint Kitts and NevisYesYesYesYesNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
Saint LuciaYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
SamoaYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
San MarinoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
Sao Tome and PrincipeYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
Saudi ArabiaYesYesYesNoNoNoNoParental authorization/notification required
SenegalYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
SerbiaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
SeychellesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
Sierra LeoneYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
SingaporeYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 24 weeks
SlovakiaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
SloveniaYesYesYesYesYesYesYesParental authorization/notification required
Solomon IslandsYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
SomaliaYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity.
South AfricaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
SpainYesYesYesYesYesYesYesThe new law allows the procedure without restrictions up to 14 weeks and gives 16- and 17-year-olds the right to have abortions without parental consent.
Sri LankaYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo
SudanYesNoNoYesNoNoNo
SurinameYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
SwazilandYesYesYesNoYesNoNo
SwedenYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 18 weeks
SwitzerlandYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
SyriaYesNoNoNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries do not expressly allow abortions to be performed to save the life of the woman, but general principles of criminal legislation allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. Spousal/Parental authorization/notification required
TajikistanYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
TanzaniaYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
ThailandYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
TogoYesNoNoYesYesNoNo
TongaYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Trinidad and TobagoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
TunisiaYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
TurkeyYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGestational limit of 10 weeks; Spousal/Parental authorization/notification required
TurkmenistanYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
TuvaluYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
TaiwanYesYesYesYesYesYesNoSpousal/Parental authorization/notification required
UgandaYesYesYesNoNoNoNoThe abortion laws in these countries either expressly allow abortions to be performed only to save the life of the woman, or are governed by general principles of criminal legislation which allow abortions to be performed for this reason on the ground of necessity. In addition, the British case of R. v. Bourne or local application of that decision apply. Under the decision, the ground of necessity was interpreted to encompass abortion performed on physical and mental grounds.
UkraineYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
United Arab EmiratesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoSpousal/Parental authorization/notification required
United KingdomYesYesYesNoYesYesNoRefers to the abortion law of England and Wales and Scotland.
United StatesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesFederal system in which abortion law is determined at state level; classification reflects legal status of abortion for largest number of people; Law does not limit pre-viability abortion; Parental authorization/notification required
UruguayYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
UzbekistanYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
VanuatuYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
VenezuelaYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
VietnamYesYesYesYesYesYesYesLaw does not indicate gestational limit; regulatory mechanisms vary
YemenYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
ZambiaYesYesYesNoYesYesNo
ZimbabweYesYesNoYesYesNoNo
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