New Report Confirms Most Abortions Done for Birth Control, Just .7% for Rape and Incest

Here is the breakdown of Minnesota’s other statistics. The numbers don’t add up to 100% because some women gave more than one reason. Of the 65% polled who answered the question:

• 84% of abortions were committed because the woman “does not want children at this time”
• 20% of abortions were committed due to economic reasons
• 14.5% of abortions were committed due to the woman’s emotional health
• 8% of abortions were committed due to the woman’s physical health
• 2% of abortions were committed because the baby was disabled
• 0.6% of abortions were committed due to rape
• 0.4% of abortions were committed because “Continued pregnancy will cause impairment of major bodily function”
• 0.1% of abortions were committed due to incest

There is no indication of the type of “physical health” concern or how serious it was.

In 2020, as in 2021, the most common reason given for an abortion was that the woman “[did] not want children at this time.”

• 82% of abortions were committed because the woman “does not want children at this time”
• 26% of abortions were committed due to economic reasons
• 15% of abortions were committed due to the woman’s emotional health
• 8.8% of abortions were committed due to the woman’s physical health
• 2.7% of abortions were committed because the baby was disabled
• 0.7% of abortions were committed due to rape
• 0.5% of abortions were committed because “Continued pregnancy will cause impairment of major bodily function”
• 0.1% of abortions were committed due to incest

In that year, 36% refused to give the reason for their abortion.

In 2013, a national study was done on the reasons women have abortions, and it presented different options, breaking down the numbers in more detail. However, it also documented very few abortions from rape or incest. In 2013, the reasons were:

• 40% aborted due to financial problems.
• 36% aborted because it was “not the right time for a baby.”
• 31% aborted for reasons relating to their partner, including 9% who said the relationship was “bad, poor, or new,” 8% who didn’t want to be a single mother, 8% because the partner wasn’t supportive, and 3% because the partner didn’t want the baby. Three percent said their partner was abusive.
• 29% aborted to focus on the children they already had.
• 20% said having the child would interfere with future opportunities, including 14% who said the baby would interfere with their education and 7% who said the baby would interfere with their career.
• 19% were not emotionally prepared to have a child or another child.
• 6% were concerned for their own health.
• 5% thought the baby might be disabled or have a health problem.
• 12% wanted “a better life for the baby that she could not provide.”
• 7% said they were not mature enough for a child.
• 5% aborted due to influence by family or friends.
• 4% said they didn’t want to place the child for adoption and didn’t want the baby.

All other reasons combined were 1.2% of the total. Somewhere in that 1.2% were the percentages for rape and incest.

Considering the 54% statistic cited above, if the Minnesota statistics hold true for the rest of the country, over half of the public opposes most abortions taking place today. Even if cases of physical health problems and the babies’ disabilities are added to the exceptions supported by some, over 85% of abortions would be opposed by most of the public.

If the political beliefs expressed in the poll hold true, the majority of the country feels that only a small percentage of abortions taking place today should be legal.