Terminations of pregnancy increase by 5% in 2024, exceeding 18,000

Friday, 24 April 2026RSS

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Terminations of pregnancy increase by 5% in 2024, exceeding 18,000

The number of pregnancy terminations (IG) rose by 5% in 2024 to 18,601, with the vast majority performed by the woman's choice within the first ten weeks, according to the Directorate-General of Health (DGS). The report highlights that 97.2% of these were elective, while 2.3% were due to fetal malformations. The DGS noted that 32 health units performed these procedures, with new access points in the Litoral Alentejano and Tâmega e Sousa regions improving local care. Most procedures occurred in the public sector (67.6%), and the average age of women undergoing the procedure remained around 28. The report also notes an increase in the proportion of non-Portuguese women seeking terminations, primarily from Brazil, Angola, and Cape Verde.

Context & Explainers

The DGS (Direção-Geral da Saúde) is Portugal's central public health authority, responsible for setting health policy guidelines, managing vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and public health campaigns. It operates under the Ministry of Health.

The DGS issues clinical guidelines (normas) that health professionals across Portugal follow, manages the national vaccination schedule, coordinates responses to disease outbreaks, and publishes health statistics. It became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic as the lead agency for public health guidance.

For residents, the DGS is the authoritative source for vaccination schedules, health alerts, and clinical guidance. Its recommendations shape how hospitals and health centers deliver care across the country.

AI Summary AvailablePregnancy terminations reach highest level in a decadeRead the synthesized summary with context and explainers

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