The Economic Issues Involved in Effects of Abortion

Research from the “Women’s Policy Research” has estimated that, since 2021, state and municipal governments are likely to spend $105 billion annually to compensate for the effects of abortion restrictions. These prohibitions discourage women from working and earning money, increase absenteeism and job turnover, and reduce overall economic participation (“Abortion Rights Are Economic Rights,” n.d.). Adverse economic outcomes also include increased vulnerability to poverty, decreased opportunities for full-time employment, increased instances of late payments, and chronic financial distress. Millions of women stand to lose everything if Roe v. Wade is reversed (“Abortion Rights Are Economic Rights,” n.d.). In particular, women living in the states with “targeted regulation of abortion providers” (TRAP) legislation are less likely to advance to higher-paying positions because of this (“Abortion Rights Are Economic Rights, n.d.).
Besides, restricting abortion rights at the state level would hurt the economy and make life more difficult for women and their families (“State Abortion Bans Will Harm Women and Families’ Economic Security Across the US,” n.d.). The Supreme Court, in the case “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,” reversed “Roe v. Wade” that, over the preceding fifty years had protected the right to abortion, on June 24, 2022 (“State Abortion Bans Will Harm Women and Families’ Economic Security Across the US,” n.d.). “Roe v. Wade” also ensured the availability of a lifesaving medical procedure for women. Further, it facilitated women’s participation in the labor force and academic success, making it easier for them to provide for themselves, their families, and their communities (“State Abortion Bans Will Harm Women and Families’ Economic Security across the US,” n.d.).
Meanwhile, political forces advocating abortion banning claim that this procedure is economically harmful to the state and women. According to The Republican Joint Economic Committee, in 2019, abortion cost the state $6.9 trillion (32% of GDP) (“Abortion Rights Are Economic Rights,” n.d.). The Committee members also estimate that abortion costs society 425 times more than mothers’ earnings throughout pregnancy (“Abortion Rights Are Economic Rights,” n.d.). Mothers lose $26,000 during the first six years of their children’s lives. All abortions in 2019 might save women $16.2 billion in lost wages over the next six years. The JEC estimates that soon abortion will cost $6.9 trillion, excluding societal expenditures, outweighing its financial benefits. Besides, abortion is considered to slow down economic growth, innovation, and workforce participation (“Abortion Rights Are Economic Rights,” n.d.). However, the following approach considers abortion exclusively as an economic problem and disregards all other factors forcing women to terminate their pregnancies.