The changing trend of induced abortion among married women and its determinants: findings from China

Xiaoying Zheng, Peking University
Lihua Pang, Peking University
Yukun Hu, Peking University
Lijun Pei, Peking University
Gan Lin, Peking University

Using data from the 1988, 1997 and 2001 sample surveys related to married women’s pregnancy history, which were conducted by China’s State Family Planning Commission, this paper examines the general level of induced abortion among women of reproductive age and its trend in China relying upon the indices such as the total abortion rate and the abortion ratio. Moreover, sex of children born after abortion was analyzed to identify whether there existed sex-selective abortion after the mid-1990s. Both description results and regression results reveal that son preference actually affected abortions in the 1990s; by contrast, in the 1980s such relationship did not significantly exist. Therefore, sex selective abortions occurred and sex ratio also increased along it in the recent decade in China. More strict enforcement of the regulations, and close monitoring at hospitals and family planning centers might change the situation.