NATIONAL – The rate of abortions in the United States is dropping, according to a newly released report from the CDC.

• A new report analyzing abortion rates up to 2016 was released by the CDC this week.
• It reports that the rates of reported, legal abortions in the United States are dropping.
• North Carolina accounted for just over 4 percent of total abortions in the U.S. 

According to the study, the rate of reported abortions fell 2 percent between 2015 and 2016; the latest data.

The report states that in 2016, 623,471 legal induced abortions were reported to the CDC. The abortion rate for 2016 was 11.6 abortions per 1,000 women 15 – 44 years in age, and the abortion ratio was 186 abortions per 1,000 live births.

This report reflects an ongoing trend the center has seen in their research over the years, supporting the claim that the rate is dropping.

According to the report, women in their 20s accounted for the majority of abortions.

North Carolina accounted for 26,398 of reported abortions, or about 4 percent of total abortions in the United States.

According to researchers, changing patterns of contraception use might have contributed to this decrease in unintended pregnancies, as well as availability and education.

To view the full report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, please click here.