Never before has Switzerland terminated so many pregnancies as in 2023.

According to official data released in July 2024, 12,045 abortions were registered in the Central European country, a record high. The figure grew by over 600 cases compared with the year before.

The Federal Statistical Office reported a rate of 7.3 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. Half of women (53%) were over 30 years old as they ended their pregnancy.

Almost all abortions (95%) happened in the legal frame of the first twelve weeks and 77% happened during the first eight weeks.

Eight out of ten abortions were carried out by medication, and 19% by surgery.

The Swiss law allowing abortion, known as “first-trimester solution”, was passed in 2002.

Two Christian parties are pro-life

The two parties with a clear Christian ethos represented in the national parliament have a pro-life stance.

The Evangelical People’s Party (EVP, with 2 seats in the Bundeshaus) says in its manifesto: “God created people in his own image. That is why we protect and respect human life from conception to death”.

Also the Federal Democratic Union (EDU, 2 seats) has a clear pro-life stance. “Life is always received; it is a gift from God. The state must protect the lives of its people”. Therefore, “social, financial, psychological and pastoral state assistance as required for expectant mothers in need as an effective prevention against abortion”.

The Swiss Evangelical Alliance has also clearly supported the right of life of unborn babies, and has suffered paint attacks by pro-abortion campaigners.

Marches for life in Switzerland have been organised under strict police protection, as extremist groups have violently counter-protested in recent years.