Public Opinion on Abortion

In a Recent Gallop Poll, More Americans Identify as “Pro-Choice” than as “Pro-Life”

When it comes to the abortion issue, the opinion of the US population is switching. The side for abortion rights seems to be gaining some momentum. According to a recently performed Gallop poll, for the first time in seven years, more U.S. adults are self-identifying as “pro-choice” than “pro-life.” Currently, 50 percent of Americans identify as “pro-choice,” while 44 percent identify as “pro-life.” Prior to 2009, this was a common occurrence, but in recent years the two opposing beliefs have been more closely divided.

Although “pro-choice” beliefs are increasing, so is the gender gap on this belief. Since 2012, the number of men who identify as “pro-choice” has been noticeably lower than the number of women. The biggest gap, eight percent, occurred this year. This data shows that women’s opinions on the abortion debate are changing much more quickly than that of men, whose beliefs on the topic have stayed relatively similar in the past 10 years. It is not surprising that women are at the forefront of supporting the right to have an abortion.

There has also been an increase in the number of Democrats identifying as “pro-choice,” with this number up from 55 to 68 percent in the past 10 years. In this same time period, Independent party identification as “pro-choice” has decreased from 55 to 50 percent, and Republican identification has stayed about the same.

The number of individuals age 35 and older to identify as “pro-choice” has shown a steady increase in recent years, reaching the highest levels since 2006. These increases in “pro-choice” viewpoints coincide with political and cultural events, including Barack Obama’s presidency and recent court cases. Interested in learning more about abortion opinions and other trends in the United States? Visit Gallup today.