Incidence of Unintended Pregnancies Worldwide in 2012 and Trends Since 1995

Gilda Sedgh, Guttmacher Institute
Susheela D. Singh, Guttmacher Institute
Rubina Hussain, Guttmacher Institute
Michelle Eilers, Guttmacher Institute

Unintended pregnancies often have negative effects on the well-being of women and families. Estimates of the distribution of pregnancies by intention status and outcomes (induced abortions and planned and unplanned births and miscarriages) for world regions and subregions were previously estimated for 1995 and 2008. It is important to monitor change in this key measure of reproductive behavior. Updated data are now available on the main inputs - abortion estimates, demographic and health surveys, UN population and birth estimates - allowing us to develop updated estimates of unintended pregnancies worldwide for 2012.This paper will answer the question of whether and by how much unintended pregnancy levels have changed since 2008, after a period of decline from 1995 to 2008. Differences in levels and trends of unintended pregnancy across regions and subregions will be examined, and trends will be assessed in the context of fertility, contraception and unmet need.