Views about abortion among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say abortion should be…

Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201461%35%4%21,955
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Legal in all/most cases, Illegal in all/most cases

Views about abortion among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by religious group

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say abortion should be…

Religious traditionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Buddhist81%17%1%212
Catholic52%43%4%4,619
Evangelical Protestant43%53%4%3,811
Hindu71%27%2%158
Historically Black Protestant55%40%5%1,290
Jewish85%13%2%633
Mainline Protestant66%30%4%3,901
Mormon44%53%3%267
Muslim54%39%7%178
Orthodox Christian54%45%1%113
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")76%21%3%5,875
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Legal in all/most cases, Illegal in all/most cases

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who are ages…

Views about abortion18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Legal in all/most cases26%34%25%15%13,899
Illegal in all/most cases27%33%23%16%6,801
Don't know17%31%26%26%850
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who are…

Views about abortionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Legal in all/most cases16%16%27%30%10%1%13,899
Illegal in all/most cases18%16%27%26%11%1%6,801
Don't know9%13%26%33%17%3%850
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who are…

Views about abortionMenWomenSample size
Legal in all/most cases47%53%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases46%54%6,911
Don't know51%49%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who identify as…

Views about abortionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Legal in all/most cases67%11%5%12%4%13,989
Illegal in all/most cases57%14%4%22%4%6,844
Don't know59%15%4%17%5%856
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who are…

Views about abortionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Legal in all/most cases13%12%74%13,980
Illegal in all/most cases20%9%71%6,792
Don't know18%11%71%866
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who have a household income of…

Views about abortionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Legal in all/most cases31%20%27%22%12,593
Illegal in all/most cases46%21%21%12%5,951
Don't know48%18%20%13%669
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who have completed…

Views about abortionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Legal in all/most cases35%32%20%14%14,079
Illegal in all/most cases54%29%11%6%6,873
Don't know50%31%12%7%891
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who are…

Views about abortionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Legal in all/most cases43%9%13%6%29%14,088
Illegal in all/most cases44%7%14%7%27%6,883
Don't know41%9%13%12%25%881
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who are…

Views about abortionParentsNon-parentsSample size
Legal in all/most cases26%74%14,102
Illegal in all/most cases32%68%6,885
Don't know23%77%894
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say they…

Views about abortionBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Legal in all/most cases46%25%8%1%17%3%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases72%19%4%1%4%1%6,911
Don't know62%20%3%4%7%4%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say religion is…

Views about abortionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases33%30%17%19%1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases65%22%6%5%< 1%6,911
Don't know56%24%8%8%3%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who attend religious services…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases20%37%43%< 1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases44%34%22%1%6,911
Don't know32%33%33%3%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who pray…

Views about abortionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases39%17%7%36%1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases63%17%5%14%1%6,911
Don't know54%14%5%21%5%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who attend prayer group…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases12%7%7%73%< 1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases30%12%9%49%1%6,911
Don't know24%6%7%59%4%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who meditate…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases34%10%5%50%1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases42%8%4%44%2%6,911
Don't know44%9%3%41%4%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases48%17%12%21%1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases62%15%8%14%1%6,911
Don't know58%13%9%16%5%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases45%17%14%23%1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases44%15%12%27%2%6,911
Don't know45%12%11%28%4%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about abortionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases15%15%56%13%2%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases41%9%41%7%2%6,911
Don't know27%8%49%8%8%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who read scripture…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases19%9%9%62%< 1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases43%12%8%36%1%6,911
Don't know31%9%10%46%4%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say the holy scripture is…

Views about abortionWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases15%23%1%53%7%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases41%30%3%20%6%6,911
Don't know28%20%8%23%22%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who …in heaven

Views about abortionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases59%33%8%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases83%11%6%6,911
Don't know71%15%14%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who …in hell

Views about abortionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases42%50%8%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases69%24%7%6,911
Don't know54%28%18%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who identify as…

Views about abortionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Legal in all/most cases23%16%60%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases40%22%38%6,911
Don't know23%34%43%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who are…

Views about abortionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases19%39%37%5%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases41%33%18%7%6,911
Don't know32%28%22%18%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who would rather have…

Views about abortionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases43%50%3%4%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases47%47%2%3%6,911
Don't know39%39%7%15%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say government aid to the poor…

Views about abortionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases33%62%3%1%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases46%48%4%2%6,911
Don't know35%47%9%10%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say homosexuality…

Views about abortionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases82%13%2%2%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases53%39%5%3%6,911
Don't know49%24%11%16%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who …same-sex marriage

Views about abortionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases76%18%5%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases41%51%8%6,911
Don't know38%32%31%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say…

Views about abortionStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases26%70%2%2%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases43%52%2%3%6,911
Don't know33%49%6%12%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation by views about abortion

% of adults who say that right or wrong depends on the situation who say humans…

Views about abortionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases50%24%4%19%2%14,141
Illegal in all/most cases22%28%4%41%5%6,911
Don't know23%22%10%29%16%903
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.