In France, the right to abortion was enshrined in the Constitution in 2024 and 86% of French people consider the authorization of abortion positive. However, 36% think that this right could be called into question soon, a fear which rises to 56% among women who have already had an abortion. Between displayed legal protection and very concrete anxiety, the experience of access to abortion remains far from appeased.
This contrast appears in the 2026 barometer on access to abortion in Franceproduced by Kantar for the
Family planning among 2,000 people and 339 women who had an abortion. 80% of French people believe that access to abortion is easy, while 72% of women passing through an establishment waited more than seven days for an appointment, compared to 54% in 2024.
Delays and medical desert: when abortion becomes a race against time
According to Family Planning, 3 out of 4 women who had an abortion in an establishment waited more than 7 days for an appointment, i.e. 18 points more than in 2024. These delays sometimes cause a switch from a medical abortion to an instrumental intervention and prolong the unwanted pregnancy. Questioned by France Inter, Sarah Durocher, president of the association describes “a real territorial divide, with access generally more difficult in rural areas and far from large cities, which is coupled with social inequalities for people with fewer resources or travel possibilities“. 89% of departmental Family Planning associations cite rurality as a major obstacle.
Refusal, pain and judgment: what the abortion journey reveals
The Kantar study also reports that one in two women who have had an abortion have been refused by a professional, compared to 27% in 2024.Having a refusal is something in fact, it is a failure to take care of things. It’s very distressing for women and sometimes they have to go see one, two, three professionals.“, describes Sarah Durocher. Around one in five women did not have the feeling of fully choosing their abortion method and almost one in four were not offered painkillers, while many say, like this caller, “It’s not abortion that scares me, it’s not being able to have an abortion.”.
Pressure, misinformation and resources to access abortion
Other obstacles are psychological and informational. 65% of women who have had an abortion say they felt pressure to abort and 62% felt pressure not to abort. “We have testimonies from professionals who will be very judgmental, very guilty“, observes Sarah Durocher. The Internet is becoming a key source of information for 38% of women, and 22% say they have discussed with artificial intelligence, while anti-choice sites occupy the results space. Family Planning reminds that “A right can only be fully guaranteed when it can be effectively exercised, under good conditions, everywhere in France.” and directs you to the toll-free number 0 800 08 11 11.