Abortion in North Dakota
The Numbers. The Laws. The Work Ahead.
Every child deserves a chance to live
Every unborn child is a human life worth protecting. Every mother deserves care, hope and real help.
North Dakota has a strong law that protects unborn children. Yet abortions still affect families in our state. Women travel to other states for abortions. Abortion pills also reach North Dakota by mail.
Our work is not finished. We must defend unborn children and help mothers choose life.
The bigger picture in 2025
Estimated abortions involving North Dakota residents: 980 in other states, plus 390 counted from pills sent here.
Combined estimate: 980 abortions obtained in other states + 390 cases counted from abortion pills sent into North Dakota = about 1,370 in 2025. Source: Guttmacher travel workbook, 2025 sheet, ND_residence column, North Dakota row and final out-of-state total. The groups are separate by the study’s location rules. Counts are rounded estimates, not confirmed completed abortions or a count of individual women. Some abortions are outside the study.
Estimated abortions obtained in other states by North Dakota residents.
Estimated abortions in Minnesota among North Dakota residents. These are part of the 980 above.
The study’s estimate for online-only abortion providers serving North Dakota. It is not a count at local clinics.
These are research estimates, not exact counts. Pills sent do not always mean an abortion was completed. Some abortions are outside the study’s reach.
Source: Guttmacher’s 2023–2025 travel and annual workbooks. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. View the data; read how the study works.
What should I know about these numbers?
Do not add 910 to 980. Minnesota is already included. The 390 figure covers pills received in North Dakota. The combined estimate adds those to the 980 out-of-state abortions. It is a broader picture, but it does not capture every abortion or confirm that every shipment was used.
The annual workbook gives 390 for both its North Dakota total and its “virtual-only clinic” category. The study gives a range of 310–590 for its North Dakota total. See the statistics page for more detail.
Abortions outside our borders still matter
ND residents obtaining abortions in other states
The estimate rose from 900 in 2023 to 980 in 2025. These figures are concerning. A child’s life matters just as much across the state line.
Good laws matter. So does help that reaches a mother before she feels abortion is her only choice.
Where abortions happenOur law survived a deeply divided court
In November 2025, North Dakota’s Supreme Court left our protection for unborn children in place.
But three of the five members hearing the case would have struck down the law. It survived because four votes were needed to do that.
We are thankful the law survived. We are deeply concerned that the court did not stand together to uphold it. Protecting life requires lasting work, not a single court win.
Court’s November 21, 2025 decision. Our concern about the divided vote reflects NDRL’s pro-life view.
Understand the law and the court voteLearn the facts. Help protect life.
Know the numbers
See the trends, compare years and learn what the reports can tell us.
Read the statisticsUnderstand abortion pills
Learn how mailed pills and travel affect North Dakota.
Learn where abortions happenSupport the work ahead
Explore ways lawmakers could protect children and help families.
Explore steps to protect lifeOur goal is clear: fewer abortions, more help for mothers, and more children welcomed into life.
The policy ideas in this center are options for study. They are not a list of bills formally endorsed by NDRL.