This sixth edition of the WHO Global and regional estimates of unsafe abortion and associated mortality is intended for policy-makers and programme managers, health workers and nongovernmental organizations in the area of sexual and reproductive health, researchers, groups and individuals concerned with unsafe abortion as well as others interested in information on unsafe abortion. More details of the data and methods used in the estimates are given in Annex 1.

A background to and characteristics of unsafe abortion are presented in Chapter 1. To better understand the levels and trends in unsafe abortion, the legal context of abortion and barriers both to abortion services and to medical care for women who have had an unsafe abortion and experience complications are described in Chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 4 covers interactions in abortion, unplanned pregnancy, contraceptive use and failure and unmet need for contraception; as well as the role that abortion plays in the transition from high to low fertility levels. The health consequences of unsafe abortion and the global burden for women and for society are examined in Chapter 5.