IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 2, 2021
Contact: Erin Weber | weber@iwpr.org | (646) 719-7021

Texas Abortion Ban and other Restrictions Cost the State Economy Almost $15 Billion per Year

“Texas is restricting its own economic growth in its quest to restrict women’s freedom.”

Washington, D.C. —Texas’ abortion ban could result in $15 billion in economic losses for women and businesses in the state. Earlier this year, the Center on the Economics of Reproductive Health (CERH) at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) released game-changing research on reproductive health to monetize the cost of reproductive health restrictions on state economies.

  • At the national level, IWPR’s research estimates that state-level abortion restrictions cost state economies $105 billion dollars per year—by reducing labor force participation and earnings levels and increasing turnover and time off from work among women ages 15 to 44 years.
  • In Texas, that translates into almost $15 billion in economic loss.
  • The same research estimates that more than 80,000 women ages 15-44 could enter the Texas labor force absent state restrictions, furthering bolstering Texas’ economy.

“Texas’ abortion ban is a giant step backwards and will impede women’s economic and social progress. Restrictions like these will also have a devastating impact on state economies and the financial security of women and their families,” said Dr. C. Nicole Mason, President and CEO of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. “Texas is restricting its own economic growth in its quest to restrict women’s freedom.”

For more information on IWPR’s Center on the Economic of Reproductive Health, click here. And for more information on the economic impact of reproductive rights restrictions in your state, check out IWPR’s interactive map and tool here.

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The Institute for Women’s Policy Research strives to win economic equity for all women and eliminate barriers to their full participation in society. As a leading national think tank, IWPR builds evidence to shape policies that grow women’s power and influence, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic well-being of families. Learn more at IWPR.org and follow us on Twitter.