Share of women using contraceptives in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Share of women using contraceptives was 76.1% in 2012. ▬ Flat
Share of women using contraceptives in United Kingdom, 1986–2012
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
In 2012, share of women using contraceptives in United Kingdom stood at 76.1%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.4% on the previous year and down 13.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using contraceptives in United Kingdom peaked at 87.7% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 76.0%, in 1999.
United Kingdom ranks 11th of 116 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Share of women using contraceptives in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 81.0% | — |
| 1993 | 82.0% | +1.2% |
| 1998 | 83.0% | +1.2% |
| 1999 | 76.0% | -8.4% |
| 2000 | 80.0% | +5.3% |
| 2001 | 87.7% | +9.6% |
| 2003 | 84.0% | -4.2% |
| 2004 | 84.0% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 82.0% | -2.4% |
| 2006 | 82.0% | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 84.0% | +2.4% |
| 2012 | 76.1% | -9.4% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 76.1% is above the median for high income countries, which is 66.8%, 1.1× the median. (26 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 76.1% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 63.2%, 1.2× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 81.0% | 81.0% | 81.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 80.3% | 76.0% | 83.0% | 3 |
| 2000s | 83.4% | 80.0% | 87.7% | 7 |
| 2010s | 76.1% | 76.1% | 76.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More gender data for United Kingdom
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 11,226 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.9161 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 60,060 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 60,060 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 0.7034 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 335,907 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 353,938 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 340,922 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 359,075 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 343,706 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using contraceptives in United Kingdom?
- Share of women using contraceptives in United Kingdom was 76.1% in 2012, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using contraceptives recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 87.7% in 2001.
- What is the lowest share of women using contraceptives recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 76.0% in 1999.
- How does United Kingdom rank for share of women using contraceptives?
- United Kingdom ranks 11th out of 116 countries with data for 2012.
- Is share of women using contraceptives rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using contraceptives. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Contraceptive prevalence rate is the percentage of women who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, any form of contraception. It is usually measured for women ages 15-49 who are married or in union.