Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.10, 2014

 

An Sociological Empirical Research on Induced Abortion in China: 1979-2012

(Abstract)

 

Wang Cuntong

 

Using statistics from the regular abortion report forms from 1979 to 2012 and from three sample surveys of family planning/reproductive health together with fieldwork research materials, this paper gives a comprehensive empirical analysis of the level, trend and determinants of abortion among married women of childbearing age in China. Our findings show that there has been a marked fall in abortion since the mid-1990s. Further checking indicates that this downward trend is the result of a combination of individual factors, socioeconomic transition and adjustments to the national family planning policy.