According to the Rosstat report Health in Russia – 2023, a shift in reproductive approaches became noticeable as abortion numbers declined and sterilization procedures rose. In 2010, the country recorded nearly 1.186 million abortions; by 2022, the figure had fallen to about 504 thousand, illustrating a substantial reduction in pregnancies ending in abortion over that period.
Similarly, the abortion rate among women aged 15 to 49 dropped—from 31.7 abortions per 1,000 women in 2010 to approximately 14.7 in 2022. This decline reflects broader changes in family planning, access to information, and evolving social norms concerning reproductive choices in Russia during the past decade and a half.
The data also show a rise in female sterilization procedures. In 2010, around 12,500 women were sterilized, and by 2022 this figure had increased to about 15,000. When measured per 100,000 women aged 15–49, the sterilization rate rose from 33.4 in 2010 to 44.6 in 2022, indicating an upward trend in this method among the population, despite fluctuations in certain years.
Rosstat notes that the overall trajectory for sterilization is not strictly linear. In several years there were spikes above 14,000 procedures (for instance in 2015 and 2019), while other years like 2020 saw a dip to about 12.6 thousand before climbing again in 2021. Sterilization is carried out through tubal ligation and is designed as a permanent form of contraception, which has implications for long-term family planning decisions.
Alongside these patterns, there has been a notable decrease in the use of hormonal methods and intrauterine devices (IUDs). The number of women relying on hormonal contraception declined from about 4.6 million to 3.844 million, while reliance on IUDs fell from roughly 4.7 million to 2.5 million. These shifts may reflect changes in medical guidance, availability of alternatives, and evolving patient preferences for non-hormonal options or long-acting reversible contraception.
On policy and service provision, the State Duma Health Committee previously voiced opposition to a proposal that would ban abortion in private clinics. The stance emphasized safeguarding the right of Russian citizens to choose abortion and called for continued improvements in obstetric and gynecological services, including medical facilities and social support spaces for pregnant individuals. Nonetheless, in some regions private clinics have limited medical abortions or have encouraged patients to seek abortion services in other jurisdictions, a situation that underscores regional variation in practice and access to care.
There have been discussions among political figures about broader reproductive policies, including proposals that would involve consideration of buying infants from individuals who are pregnant and seeking abortion. This topic illustrates ongoing debates surrounding reproductive rights, consent, and the ethical dimensions of family planning in Russia.