Over the years, the teenage abortion rate has fluctuated. An
increase occurred in the late 1980s. A changing pattern of
contraceptive use was discussed as a contributing factor,—for
example, less use of oral contraceptives due to fear of adverse
effects. Since then, subsidies for oral contraceptives have
emerged, and emergency hormonal contraception has become
easily available.28 In spite of this, teenage abortion rates are
increasing, from 17/1000 in 1995 to 22.5/1000 in 2001. A total
of 5665 abortions were performed among teenage girls in
2001.