Abortion rate drops in Texas since 2021 law, report concludes

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports a significant decline in abortions among Texas residents since the state’s heartbeat law took effect in 2021.

The findings add to several years of data showing legal protections for unborn children have reduced the number of abortions, especially among minors. 

Pro-life researcher and statistician Dr. Michael New summarized the results, saying the law has reduced abortions “more than 18 percent over the past four years.”

“While abortion numbers fell among all age demographics, the results indicate the incidence of abortion fell the most among Texans younger than 18 years of age,” he added. 

His analysis reflects a trend seen in multiple reviews since the law took effect. 

The study gathered information from Texas and six neighboring states. Researchers compared data from September 2020 through May 2021 with data from September 2021 through May 2022, the period after the law took effect. They found “after the law’s implementation, total (in-state and out-of-state) facility-based abortions decreased by 26.1%” among Texans under 18. The report also noted declines across older age groups. Abortions dropped 19.6% for women ages 18 to 24 and 17% for women ages 25 to 29.

Earlier studies showed similar results. In 2022, the Society of Family Planning estimated Texas saw 10,000 fewer abortions than usual in June and July. That decline occurred even before the full ban went into effect. By August 2022, Texas reported zero elective legal abortions and only three procedures for threats to a mother’s life.

New concluded three other academic reviews of the heartbeat law confirm the same pattern, noting it has “saved over 1,000 lives every month” since 2021. These studies reinforce the argument that strong legal protections for unborn children reduce abortions both within Texas and among residents seeking abortions in other states.

The drop in statewide abortions has coincided with a rise in local pro-life ordinances. On Nov. 24, Howard County became the 14th county in the country to completely ban abortion and abortion-related activities.

Texas allows abortion only when a woman faces a “life-threatening physical condition.” 

Pro-life groups say direct abortion is never medically required and argue the state’s laws protect both mother and child.

Texas is now one of 12 states banning all or most abortions.