ABORTIONS

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Health, between 1995 and 1999, what were the trends on abortion in youths in the age cohorts of 13-14 years, 15-16 years and 18-21 years.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: The number of abortions in the age groups 13-14 years and 15-16 years is very small, less than 2% of total abortions annually for the period 1995 to 1999 (Table below).

There is a decreasing number of abortions for the age groups 13-14 years and 15-16 years from 1995 to 1999. The number of abortions for age group 17-21 years has remained relatively stable over the same period. Legalised Abortions by Selected Age Groups, 1995 - 1999 Selected Age Groups Year (years) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Overall Total 14504 14365 13827 13838 13753 Total (aged 13 - 21 2661 2729 2764 2475 2610 yrs) 13 - 14 17 19 29 9 7 15 - 16 223 228 256 155 168 17 -18 679 698 793 682 689 19 - 21 1742 1784 1686 1629 1746