Unintended pregnancy and abortion: what does it tell us about reproductive health and autonomy?

Globally, on average people have fewer children today than in the past. The global fertility rate has declined from 3·2 livebirths per woman in 1990 to 2·5 in 2019, and further declines are expected in the future.1 These trends are the consequence of profound changes in childbearing intentions that have resulted in more individuals and couples wanting to postpone or avoid pregnancy. Contraception is one of the most important tools for enabling couples and individuals to exercise the right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children, and worldwide the use of contraceptive methods has increased.