REPORT: New Mexico had highest abortion rate of all 50 states in 2025

New Mexico had the highest abortion rate of any state in the U.S. in 2025, according to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute.

Key Takeaways:

• Guttmacher states that 16,150 abortions were committed in New Mexico in 2025, out of 1,129,900 total abortions committed in the country.

• That equals a rate of 39.5 abortions per 1,000 women, far higher than even extremely pro-abortion states.

• Other heavily pro-abortion states reflected lower abortion rates, including California, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

• Only Washington, D.C. (which is not a state), has a higher abortion rate (43.4).

The Details:

Abortion-Free New Mexico issued a press release on Monday, announcing the results of the Guttmacher Institute’s Monthly Abortion Provision Study (2025). New Mexico saw 16,150 abortions committed last year, which results in an estimated rate of 39.5 abortions per 1,000 women. The only jurisdiction with a higher abortion rate is Washington, D.C., but as a federal district and not one of the 50 states, that gives New Mexico the highest abortion rate of any state in the country.

Even states with extreme pro-abortion policies have lower rates, such as:

• New Jersey (36.2)

• Illinois (34.6)

• Maryland (31.3)

• New York (30.5)

• California (22.9)

Abortion-Free New Mexico stated that there were over 10,000 out-of-state women traveling to New Mexico to undergo abortions, constituting the majority of abortions committed in the state — nearly two-thirds of the state's total.

"New Mexico has become the nation’s abortion capital," Tara Shaver said in the press release. "While our state struggles with violent crime, failing schools, child poverty, addiction, and a child welfare system in crisis, state leaders continue making abortion their defining public policy priority. New Mexicans deserve leaders committed to protecting children, strengthening families, and restoring public accountability — not expanding the abortion industry.”

Zoom In:

New Mexico legislators have intentionally turned the state into an abortion haven, eliminating virtually all restrictions and ensuring abortion remains easily accessible.

This effort has been largely spearheaded by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has called the killing of preborn children by abortion a "fundamental human right." She ensured millions in taxpayer funds were given to build an abortion facility operating in partnership with the University of New Mexico; the university is known for committing abortions up to 23 weeks and 6 days. Reports from Live Action News have also documented the university’s involvement in research and experiments using the remains of aborted babies. 

Most recently, the state passed legislation removing the requirement to report any abortion data. Previously, abortionists were required to file confidential statistical reports within five days of committing an abortion. Identifying details about patients were kept confidential, so it posed no risk to women undergoing abortions. The decision to eliminate reporting, therefore, eliminates a vast amount of concrete data about abortion in New Mexico, and obliterates the opportunity to have transparency within the abortion industry.

The Bottom Line:

States like California and Illinois are widely seen as leaders in abortion, but New Mexico should not be overlooked for the dangers it poses to both women and their preborn children.