A record number of abortions in Scotland last year may have been driven by cost of living worries, a charity has said.
Figures released by Public Health Scotland showed there were 16,584 terminations in 2022, a 19% increase.
Women living in the least affluent areas had twice as many abortions as those in the most affluent areas.
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service said financial pressures were forcing women to make difficult choices.
Racheal Clarke, from the charity, told BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime programme they were “absolutely not surprised” by the figures.
“This certainly reflects what we’ve been seeing over the last 18 months – a really big increase in the number of woman who are coming to us,” she said.
“Particularly an increase in women who are very worried about the cost of living and the impact that’s going to have on them and their families.”
Source : BBC
