Unsafe abortions remain a major public health concern worldwide, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization. The data show that around 73 million induced abortions take place globally every year. About 61 percent of unintended pregnancies and nearly 29 percent of all pregnancies end in abortion, highlighting how common this reality is across regions and societies.

Abortion is often discussed only in terms of personal choice, but the WHO emphasizes that it also has wide public health implications. When people cannot access safe, affordable, timely and respectful abortion care, the consequences extend beyond the individual and affect health systems and communities as a whole. Stigma around abortion further increases risks to both physical and mental health, sometimes with long lasting effects.

The report points to alarming figures from developing countries, where an estimated 7 million women each year require hospital treatment for complications resulting from unsafe abortion procedures. These complications place a heavy burden on already strained health services.

Unsafe abortion methods are associated with serious physical risks. They can lead to incomplete abortion, severe bleeding, infections and perforation of the uterus. Medical experts also report injuries to the genital tract and internal organs caused by the insertion of dangerous objects into the vagina or anus. Such outcomes are preventable when safe medical care is available.

The economic impact is also significant. WHO estimates from 2006 indicate that health systems in developing countries spent around 553 million US dollars per year on treating complications related to unsafe abortions. These costs underline how prevention through safe services is not only a health priority but also a financial one.

Beyond physical harm, unsafe abortion often causes deep psychological distress. Fear, pain, shame and trauma are common experiences, reinforcing the need to approach abortion as a comprehensive health issue that includes mental well being.

Multiple barriers prevent women from accessing safe abortion care. High costs, social stigma directed at both patients and health care providers, and refusals based on personal beliefs all play a role. In many countries, restrictive laws and medically unjustified requirements further push people toward unsafe options. These include criminalization of abortion, mandatory waiting periods and limitations on who can legally provide abortion services.

The WHO report makes it clear that reducing unsafe abortions requires addressing legal, social and health system barriers, and ensuring that evidence based, respectful care is accessible to all who need it.

Source: World Health Organization report summarized by The Week
https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2025/12/10/how-dangerous-are-unsafe-abortions-who-report-paints-a-grim-picture.html