Abortion is available legally in Hong Kong.

Legislation

edit

Article 47A Medical termination of pregnancy of the Offences against the Person Ordinance stipulates that termination of pregnancy is legal if the mother's life or health is at risk, or if the fetus has abnormalities that would result in serious handicaps.[1]

Termination of pregnancy which is of more than 24 weeks duration is not authorised unless two registered medical practitioners agree that the mother's life is at risk.[1]

History

edit

On 17 February 1981, the Legislative Council voted 40 to 7 to pass the controversial abortion bill and legalised abortion in Hong Kong.[2]

Statistics

edit

In 2004, a news report found that the abortion rate of Hong Kong was the highest in the developed world. According to government statistics, in 2001 there were 49,144 live births and hospitals performed 20,235 abortions. The abortion rate was 29.2%. However, the actual figure could be even higher because the data did not include illegal abortions performed over the border in mainland China.[3]

Medical experts attributed the high rate to inadequate sex education in schools. The stigma of abortion also forced women to get illegal abortions in Guangdong. Suvan Law Sui-wan, counsellor at charity group Mother's Choice, explained, "some of the girls are so confused, worried and frustrated and the first thing that comes to their mind is abortion. They think it is safe, quick and effective. In Chinese culture it's shameful to be unmarried and pregnant."[3]

Government statistics of legally terminated pregnancies in approved hospitals or clinics by age group from 2006 to 2015[4]
Year Age group Total
0 – 14 15 – 19 20 – 24 25 – 29 30 – 34 35 – 39 40 – 44 45 or above Unknown age
2006 32 1164 3201 2837 2549 2350 1231 146 0 13510
2007 30 1199 3099 2905 2612 2300 1222 148 0 13515
2008 43 1129 2900 2833 2568 2414 1155 156 1 13199
2009 28 1052 2583 2565 2305 2192 1162 141 0 12028
2010 29 950 2385 2356 2280 2064 1042 125 0 11231
2011 32 1011 2504 2549 2320 2208 1126 114 0 11864
2012 30 938 2361 2344 2263 2156 1087 119 0 11298
2013 16 874 2137 2179 2278 2098 964 107 0 10653
2014 22 859 2035 2149 2197 2007 982 108 0 10359
2015 18 774 1950 2042 2074 1987 937 108 0 9890

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Family Health Service - Termination of pregnancy". www.fhs.gov.hk. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Hong Kong: population: legalized abortion". Data Asia. 10 (8): 7700. 1981. PMID 12262369.
  3. ^ a b "Hong Kong has highest abortion rate in developed world: report". www.abc.net.au. 8 August 2004. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  4. ^ "LCQ14: Medical procedures for termination of pregnancy". www.info.gov.hk. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
edit