Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49) - Country Ranking - Europe

Definition: Unmet need for contraception is the percentage of fertile, married women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.

Source: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.

See also: Thematic map, Time series comparison

Find indicator:
Rank Country Value Year
1 Bulgaria 29.70 1998
2 Moldova 21.20 2020
3 Montenegro 21.00 2018
4 Lithuania 18.00 1995
5 Latvia 16.80 1995
6 Albania 15.10 2018
7 Romania 11.90 2004
8 Spain 11.80 1995
8 Italy 11.80 1996
10 Turkey 11.60 2018
11 North Macedonia 10.30 2019
12 Slovenia 9.20 1995
13 Bosnia and Herzegovina 9.00 2012
14 Serbia 8.80 2019
15 Sweden 8.50 2017
16 United Kingdom 8.12 2011
17 Hungary 7.00 1993
17 Belarus 7.00 2012
19 Ukraine 4.90 2012
20 Czech Republic 4.30 2008
21 Belgium 3.40 1992
22 France 1.70 2005

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Statistical Concept and Methodology: Reproductive health is a state of physical and mental well-being in relation to the reproductive system and its functions and processes. Means of achieving reproductive health include education and services during pregnancy and childbirth, safe and effective contraception, and prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. Many couples in developing countries want to limit or postpone childbearing but are not using effective contraception. These couples have an unmet need for contraception. Common reasons are lack of knowledge about contraceptive methods and concerns about possible side effects. This indicator excludes women not exposed to the risk of unintended pregnancy because of menopause, infertility, or postpartum anovulation.

Aggregation method: Weighted average

Periodicity: Annual

General Comments: Unmet need for contraception measures the capacity women have in achieving their desired family size and birth spacing. Many couples in developing countries want to limit or postpone childbearing but are not using effective contraception. These couples ha