Total number of abortions in the Netherlands in 2016 heads to nether levels
Looks like the total number of abortions in the Netherlands is headed again to the ‘nether’ numbers here in Holland. Leaving 12th century word puns aside, it looks like the orange country experienced a slight decrease in abortions in 2016
This ‘decreasing’ trend began in 2008, and continued uninterrupted for 7 years until 2015, when a slight increase was reported in that year. However, the Minister of Health De Jonge has sent the 2016 figures to the House of Representatives, which confirm a renewed decreased in abortion cases.
(more dutch babies for everyone!)
Official numbers of abortions in The Netherlands
The official number sent to the House of Representatives pointed out that 2016 experienced 659 fewer cases of abortions in the Netherlands than in 2015, the former totaling 30,114. In terms of abortion rate (termination of pregnancy per 1000 women between 15 and 44), this fell to 8.5 in 2016.
Why so little?
Now, the obvious question that any statistical article brings up is: why? Well, this author has also the same question. Many variables can be taken into account, more than can be mentioned or explored in this piece.
As someone that works with children at a school, I think it’s the direct and open type of sexual education dutchies prefer. Maybe this allows for less unwanted pregnancies to occur in the first place.
The Netherlands is also a great country when it comes to the teenage pregnancy rate, check out item # 3:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTKlkwR9ASE[/embedyt]
Whatever the reason, it looks like whatever The Netherlands is doing, it’s working, and it’s keeping more happy Dutch children on this Earth.
So what do you think of abortions in the Netherlands and what’s causing the declining rate of it? Feel welcome to pitch in at the comment section!
[…] It was a huge step from a once restrictive policy for those experiencing an unwanted pregnancy in The Netherlands and it is legislation such as this which gives the country its international status as a liberal […]
I think the key to reducing abortion isn’t necessarily strict legislation but good sex education (which includes abstinence as a desirable but not the only option for teens) and available contraception.