Number of abortions down by 22.9 pc over past five years

Budapest, June 13 (MTI) – Although the number of abortions in Hungary dropped by 22.9 percent between 2010-2015 and declined by a further 4.1 percent in the first three months this year, their ratio is still high in a European comparison, a human resources ministry official told daily Magyar Hírlap on Monday.

In Hungary there is still one abortion for every three new births which is higher than the average ratio of one abortion for every five new births across the EU bloc, the deputy state secretary in charge of family affairs, said.

Tünde Fűrész said a relatively high ratio of abortions is prevalent in all of the eastern European countries, attributing it in parts to “a tendency inherited from socialist times.”

She said that in an effort to improve the situation the government has broadened the scope of benefit schemes to ensure families better financial conditions. This measure is hoped to prevent abortions chosen for financial reasons, Fűrész added.

The government also supports civil organisations that are active in educating the public about the issue which helps prevention, she said.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters