- Women who had an abortion early in their careers earned an average of $495,000 more over 30 years than women who became mothers, largely due to uninterrupted education and career development.
- As one of the first studies to examine the long-term economic consequences of abortion, new research by the University of Sheffield investigates how early- career reproductive decisions including becoming a mother, having an abortion and avoiding pregnancy, shaped women's lifetime earnings.
- Women who did not experience pregnancy during early adulthood earned around $556,000 more than early-career mothers, even after accounting for hours worked, marital status and number of children.
- As abortion restrictions rise in many countries, the findings underscore the value of policies that support women's reproductive autonomy, career mobility and gender equality in the workforce.
Women who had an abortion early in their careers earned nearly $500,000 more over 30 years than those who became mothers, according to pioneering new research by the University of Sheffield.
The study, which followed more than 6,000 women in the US across three decades, examined how reproductive decisions including becoming a mother, having an abortion and avoiding pregnancy in early career shaped their lifetime earnings.
Researchers found that women who had an abortion earned on average $495,000 more over their careers than those who became mothers. Women who did not experience pregnancy at all during this period earned an estimated $556,000 more than early-career mothers. These earning gaps persisted even after accounting for working hours, marital status and number of children
As one of the first studies to examine the long term economic consequences of abortion, the research highlights the critical role of education. Women who had an abortion were more likely to continue education and maintain career continuity, factors that significantly reduced the persistent earnings penalty associated with early motherhood.
For many women, pregnancy occurs during the period in which foundational career decisions are made such as contemplating education, entering stable employment, or choosing occupational pathways.
Early career interruptions, including those driven by caregiving responsibilities, limit opportunities for skill development, reduce earning potential, constrain wage growth, and create economic disadvantages that continue through working life.
Lead author Dr Nicola Lawrence-Thomas, a Lecturer in Work Psychology from the University of Sheffield, said:
“Women stand at a cross road when faced with pregnancy. Those who pursue motherhood are often subject to the motherhood penalty. A set of disadvantages that hinder earning potential and create significant career barriers.
“Restrictions on abortion are rising in many countries, and our research shows that these policies are not only about health or personal choice, they’re also about economic inequality and gender equity in the workforce.
“There’s unprecedented value in policies that protect a woman's ability to plan and sustain their careers including protecting abortion and contraception, subsidised childcare and protected paid parental leave.”
The study emphasises that pregnancy in early adulthood should be understood as a critical career event but one that does not always lead to motherhood. Unlike non-pregnancy, abortion involves navigating significant cognitive and psychological demands alongside structural barriers such as stigma, limited access to care and unsupportive healthcare systems. These experiences shape a woman's early career in distinct ways which differ from non pregnancy and motherhood.
Future research plans aim to examine how abortion influences career outcomes beyond earnings, such as occupational mobility, career progression and job stability. Future work will also investigate how recent abortion restrictions introduced in the United States may influence women’s long-term economic trajectories.
To view the research paper in full, please visit: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fapl0001348