Abortion in Laos

Abortion in Laos was on the whole illegal before 2021, when the law was changed to allow the termination of pregnancy in certain circumstances.^[1]

Under the new legislation, abortion is permitted in the cases of:^[2]

• The pregnant individual has significant health conditions including heart disease, blood diseases, mental health issues, cancer, kidney disease, among others named in the legislation.
• The pregnant individual is a member of a low-income family, has more than four children already, or is below the age of majority.
• The foetus has an intellectual disability, or has been exposed to poison or over 15 rads of radiation.
• The foetus was otherwise lost.
• The pregnancy was a result of rape or birth control failure.

Public opinion

In general, Laotian people have negative associations with abortion. A study published in 2020 suggested that only one in three Laotian adolescents were aware of induced abortion. Of those, however, 71% believed that the decision to have an abortion should be the woman's personal choice.^[3]

See also

• Health in Laos

References