Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 71.1% in 2012. ▼ Falling
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods 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
The most recent figure for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United Kingdom is 71.1%, measured in 2012.
The figure is down 6.4% on the previous year and down 11.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United Kingdom peaked at 82.0% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 69.0%, in 1999.
United Kingdom ranks 10th of 113 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 12 years of available data.
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 78.0% | — |
| 1993 | 82.0% | +5.1% |
| 1998 | 77.0% | -6.1% |
| 1999 | 69.0% | -10.4% |
| 2000 | 75.0% | +8.7% |
| 2001 | 80.0% | +6.7% |
| 2003 | 79.0% | -1.2% |
| 2004 | 78.0% | -1.3% |
| 2005 | 76.0% | -2.6% |
| 2006 | 74.0% | -2.6% |
| 2009 | 76.0% | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 71.1% | -6.4% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 71.1% is above the median for high income countries, which is 60.4%, 1.2× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 71.1% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 52.4%, 1.4× the median. (24 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 78.0% | 78.0% | 78.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 76.0% | 69.0% | 82.0% | 3 |
| 2000s | 76.9% | 74.0% | 80.0% | 7 |
| 2010s | 71.1% | 71.1% | 71.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United Kingdom?
- Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United Kingdom was 71.1% 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 contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 82.0% in 1993.
- What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 69.0% in 1999.
- How does United Kingdom rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
- United Kingdom ranks 10th out of 113 countries with data for 2012.
- Is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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 Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).