Data disclosed by Public Health Jersey has revealed a 62.5 per cent increase in abortion rates since 2014, with 260 recorded abortions in 2023.

A detailed breakdown of the 2023 statistics illustrated:

- A rise to 260 abortions in Jersey, marking an 8.33 per cent increase from the previous year and a significant 62.5 per cent surge since 2014.

- Abortion rates were notably higher than the European Union average, with Jersey reporting 327 abortions per 1,000 live births compared to the EU's average of 184 per 1,000 live births in 2020-2021.

- The abortion rate among women aged 15-44 stood at 13.9 per 1,000 women, reflecting a substantial increase from the rate of 8.4 in 2014.

- Repeat abortions constituted 26.92 per cent of all cases in Jersey for the year.

The report also highlighted that abortion figures are rounded to the nearest ten, implying actual numbers may be slightly higher.

Jersey operates under its own legal framework as a Crown Dependency, independently crafting its abortion laws separate from those governing England and Wales.

Recent discussions led by Jersey's Minister for Health and Social Services have explored potential expansions to current abortion laws, including considerations for abortion up to birth under any circumstances and removing time limits in specific cases.

However, these proposed changes have been met with significant opposition.

Catherine Robinson from Right To Life UK responded to the statistics and proposed law changes. In a statement, she said: “It’s deeply tragic that we saw an increase in abortions to this extent in Jersey. Each abortion is a profound loss.”

Robinson criticised the government's consultation on expansive abortion laws as “extreme proposals” unfit for society.

She urged the Jersey Government to reject these changes and focus on policies that protect unborn children and support women facing unplanned pregnancies.