Globally, seven in ten adults favor allowing abortion
Washington, DC, August 17, 2020 –Seven in ten adults worldwide (70%) say abortion should be permitted, according to a new Ipsos Global Advisor survey of nearly 17,500 men and women from 25 countries. Globally, the survey finds 44% saying abortion “should be permitted whenever a woman decides she wants one” and 26% saying it “should be permitted under certain circumstances, such as if a woman has been raped.” Only 5% say that abortion should never be permitted under any circumstances and 12% only if the life of the mother is in danger.
Women’s right to have an abortion is not as widely accepted in the United States as it is on average across the 25 countries surveyed. However, by a nearly three-to-one margin, Americans believe in a woman’s right to have an abortion in at least some cases. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) say abortion should be permitted – either whenever a woman wants one (35%) or in certain circumstances, such as in case of rape (29%). At the other end of the spectrum, 23% of Americans say it should not be permitted – either under no circumstances (8%) or only if the life of the mother is in danger (15%). The other 13% don’t know or prefer not to say.
Among the world’s regions, Europe is where abortion is most widely accepted as 80% across the continent say it should be permitted. Sweden tops the ranking with an 88% acceptance rate, followed by Belgium (87%), France (84%), and Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Spain (83% in all three countries). Outside of Europe, abortion is most widely accepted in South Korea (79%), Australia (78%) and Canada (77%).
Women are more likely than men to say abortion is a woman’s decision by 8 percentage points, both globally and in the U.S. Adults with a college degree are more likely to say so than those without one by 6 points, also both globally and in the U.S.
Ipsos has been tracking global views on abortion since 2014. At 64%, abortion acceptance in the U.S. is down 4 points from last year’s 68%, where it had remained with no significant change since 2015, and back to the level where it was in 2014.
About the Study
These are the results of a survey conducted by Ipsos on the Global Advisor platform. Ipsos interviewed a total of 17,997 adults aged 18-74 in United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey, and 16-74 in 20 other countries on its Global Advisor online survey platform, between May 22 and June 5, 2020.
The sample consists of approximately 1,000 individuals in each of Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the U.S., and 500 individuals in each of Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, and Turkey.
The samples in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.S. can be taken as representative of these countries’ general adult population under the age of 75. The samples in Brazil, Chile, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, South Africa and Turkey are more urban, more educated, and/or more affluent than the general population. The survey results for these countries should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of these population.
The data is weighted so that each country’s sample composition best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data.
The report shows results of previous survey waves conducted each year from 2014 to 2019 in most of the countries covered in 2020. In previous survey waves, the same question was asked on the same Global Advisor platform of sample of similar sizes in all countries. However, until 2018, the maximum age of adults surveyed in all countries was 64. In 2019, the age range in all countries was extended up to 74. Therefore, 2020 results are only truly comparable to 2019 results. Tracking going back to 2014 is only indicative.
Where results do not sum to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be +/-1 more/less than the actual, this may be due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of don't knows or not stated responses.
The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points and of 500 accurate to +/- 4.8 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Nicolas Boyon
Senior Vice President, US
Public Affairs
[email protected]
About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com
