In a recent study done by the Guttmacher Institute, the abortion rate in the U.S. is the lowest that it has been since 1973. When the Supreme Court decided the controversial case of Roe v. Wade, abortion rates saw a steady increase. This downward trend has been accredited to the overall decline in pregnancies in the U.S.

The study, which looked at the number of abortion taken place from 2008 to 2011, shows that there was a 13 percent decrease in between those years. Women and providers who offer and use these services are not required to report their data, so the research can be considered to be incomplete. Along with that, due to the increasing number of legislations passed that restrict abortions in some states, it is speculated that women go to other states with less restrictive laws to get an abortion.

Women’s method of terminating a pregnancy has also changed over the years. With the introduction of the abortion pill, which accounts for about one in four non-hospital abortions, hospital abortions have declined. Non-hospital abortions allow for more privacy and the findings are not reported unless the user chooses to directly reports them.

Planned Parenthood, which is the nation biggest provider for abortions and contraceptive methods, reported in 2012 that only 3 percent of their clients had used their services for abortions, while 34 percent had opted out to use other contraceptive methods.

“I think with contraceptives being more available and sex education [has led to the decline],” said senior Adrienne Thompson.

Also, the slow recovering economy, has also been an effective form of birth control. When the market is down, the birth rate also declines. Since the Recession, birth rates have been at  historic lows, averaging about 1.89 births per family.

“When the economy is down people are more likely to be careful with contraceptives because it would be a bigger disaster to have a child when you have no money than it would be if you did have a lot of money,” said Thompson. With less conceptions occurring, the need for abortions has gone down as well.

Another factor that has contributed to the decline is the morality of abortion. Pro-life and pro-choice groups who have been debating about the right to life and the right of a woman’s reproductive rights have garnered much attention. “I think people are starting to consider [the morality] of abortion as it becomes more controversial,” said junior Ester James.

All in all, whether you are a pro-choice or pro-life supporter, the decline in abortion can be seen as a win for both sides of the argument.