Florida abortions on pace to eclipse 2022 numbers, data suggests

By Eric Daugherty

Published Dec. 27, 2023, 11:07 a.m. ET | Updated Dec. 27, 2023

Democrats for Life of America sign at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2019. (Photo/Maria Oswalt)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Data for a large portion of 2023 already shows abortions nearing end-of-year 2022 levels, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

There have been 72,087 abortions throughout most of 2023, data compiled Dec. 1 shows.

However, the data is slightly lagged, typically behind by several weeks to a couple months.

End-of-year 2022 data put the final abortion tally at 82,581, up from 2021’s 79,817.

The data can lag several months. For instance, the final 2022 year data wasn’t released until April of this year, suggesting that the current 2023 numbers may be on pace for a record year of abortions.

Florida’s abortion totals come as new restrictions on the practice gained clearance from lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis, but face battles in court.

As of late-December, the Florida Supreme Court is still deciding on the 15 week abortion ban, passed in 2022. That bill was sponsored by then-Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, and Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lake/Polk County.

Then in 2023, lawmakers approved and DeSantis signed an abortion ban at six weeks. That won’t take effect unless the Florida Supreme Court upholds the 15 week ban.

The six-week ban was co-sponsored by Reps. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland; and Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce.