The Guttmacher Institute’s work in Africa concentrates on Sub-Saharan Africa. The region is widely represented by studies that estimate the incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy; present age-specific abortion rates and rates for sexually active adolescents; document the severity of complications from unsafe abortion; assess the quality, costs and reach of postabortion care; examine sexuality education; and explore the use of misoprostol from informal sources for abortion. The region also recently benefitted from a comprehensive monograph that summarized the body of knowledge on abortion.

In addition, the Institute provides estimates (regional, subregional and country-specific) of the needs for modern contraception, maternal and newborn care, and abortion-related services. This work also estimates the costs and impacts of meeting these needs, providing policymakers across Africa with evidence that investment in improving and increasing the provision of sexual and reproductive health services saves lives, improves women’s health and well-being, and has broad societal benefits. You can use the location menu on this page to explore country-specific information.