Why Serbian Women Choose Abortion: A Closer Look

In Serbia, abortions happen a lot, even though there are many ways to prevent pregnancy. A recent study dug into why women there choose abortion, both for the first time and again. It turns out, having enough kids already and money troubles are the top reasons. Around 44% of women said they already have enough children, and 42% pointed to financial struggles as their main concern. The study looked at women aged 16 to 49 who had abortions between 2022 and 2024. Most of these women had more than one reason for their decision. Interestingly, worries about weight gain or body changes during pregnancy were the least common reasons. Being single or not in a serious relationship and having a physically demanding job were big factors in the decision to abort. More than half of the women had more than one abortion. This suggests that access to contraception alone isn't enough to reduce abortion rates. The findings highlight a need for better sex education and support for women in Serbia. It's not just about providing contraception; it's also about addressing relationship status and financial stability. Policymakers should take note and work on solutions that tackle these root causes.