The number of abortions performed in New Zealand has dropped.
Just-released figures from Statistics New Zealand show there were 15,863 abortions recorded in 2011, 767 fewer than in 2010.
It's the lowest number since 1999, when there were 15,501 abortions performed.
A greater number of abortions are being performed earlier in pregnancy, with 55 per cent performed before 10 weeks in 2011, compared to 36 per cent in 2006.
Women aged between 20 and 24 have the highest abortion rate, with 33 abortions per 1000 women in that age bracket.
Most abortions - 62 per cent - were a woman's first abortion, while the average age of women having an abortion was 25.
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