Emergency contraceptive availability by country

Last updated

This table includes a list of countries by emergency contraceptive availability. [1]

(LNG refers to Levonorgestrel and UPA refers to Ulipristal acetate).

CountryRegionAvailabilityOver the counterNon-prescriptionAge restrictionCostAwarenessNotes
AfghanistanAsiaImport onlyRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [2]
AlbaniaEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone [3] €15,60 (UPA)

€4,50 (LNG)

66-75% [4] [5] "Currently, Postinor-2 (LNG) is the only EC brand available in Albania as there is a stock out of NorLevo in the country for unknown reasons." [6]
AlgeriaAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only) [7]
AndorraEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (16 and over)Under 16s require parental consent [8] €20 – €26 (UPA)

€6,1 – €7,8 (LNG)

[9]
AngolaAfricaGreen check.svgY(34%)Red x.svgNRed x.svgN580 - 2950 AKZ23.5% [10] [11] [2]
Antigua and BarbudaCaribbeanGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYSome restrictions [12]
ArgentinaSouth AmericaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYOver 14Free at all public hospitals in Buenos Aires [13] [14]
ArmeniaCaucasusGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
ArubaCaribbeanGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone [15]
AustraliaOceaniaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only)None [16] $20–$30 (LNG) [17] 97% [18] [19] "Pharmacists can refuse supply on religious grounds, but must refer the woman to another supplier" [16]
AustriaEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€31,90 (UPA)

€12,90–13,50 (LNG)

≥84% [20] [21] Common claim that it acts like an abortifacient [20]
AzerbaijanCaucasusGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
BahamasCaribbeanGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Only available in family planning clinics [15]
BahrainAsiaRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [2]
BangladeshAsiaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone৳24,00

Free (government clinics) [22]

"Relatively unknown", 2001 [23] [24]
BarbadosCaribbeanGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Access restricted due to misinformation [25] [26]
BelgiumEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€24,99 (€15,99 if <21 years old) (UPA),

€8,55–€9,85 (€0–€0,85 if <21 years old) (LNG)

Fully reimbursed under prescription if under 21 [27] [21]
BelarusEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only)None€17 (UPA)

€10 (LNG)

[28]
BelizeCentral AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only) [29]
BeninAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
BhutanAsiaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYOver the counter EC introduced in 2018 [30]
BoliviaSouth AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYNoneBs55.50 [31]
Bosnia and HerzegovinaEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN€25,30–30,00 (UPA)

€14,50–22,50 (LNG)

Anecdotally available without prescription [32]
BotswanaAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only) [33]
BrazilSouth AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYNoneFree at most public hospitals, R$35 otherwise [34] [35]
BruneiAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN30BND (LNG)Available with a Drs prescription from private clinics [2]
BulgariaEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone (UPA)

Over 16 (LNG)

€22,00 (UPA)

€15,00 (LNG)

≥84% [20] [36]
Burkina FasoAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
BurundiAfricaGreen check.svgY (31%) [37] Red x.svgN [11] Green check.svgY22.9%Women can be refused service by providers, and it is disapproved of by church leaders. Many are secretive about contraceptive use. [37] [38]
CameroonAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
CambodiaAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN
CanadaNorth AmericaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY (except Saskatchewan)Green check.svgY (LNG only) [39] [40]
Canada (Quebec)North AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [39] [40]
Cape VerdeAfricaRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgNPossibly due to small population [2]
Central African RepublicAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN
ChadAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
ChileSouth AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYNone [41]
ChinaAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
ColombiaSouth AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN
ComorosAfricaImport onlyRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [2] [11]
Congo, Democratic Republic ofAfricaGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Red x.svgNRed x.svgNXOF 120023% (2015, Kinshasa) [42]
Costa RicaCentral AmericaRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgNDue to active opposition [2]
CroatiaEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYLNG only available without prescription if over 16 years old€25,60 (UPA)

€21,40 (LNG)

[43] [21]
CubaCaribbeanGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY [44]
CuracoCaribbeanGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only)None [45]
CyprusEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€29,42 (UPA)Only UPA is available due to financial crisis [46] [21]
Czech RepublicEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone (UPA)

†Under 17s need a prescription (LNG)

€24,50 (UPA)

€21,00 (LNG)

≥84% [20] [47] [48]
DenmarkEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€23,36 (UPA)

€12,45 (LNG)

45% [49] [50] [21]
DjiboutiAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
Dominican RepublicCentral AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
East TimorOceaniaRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgNDue to conflict in the region [2]
EcuadorSouth AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (only at public health clinics)NoneFree at public health premises [13] [14]
EgyptAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [51]
El SalvadorCentral AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
Equatorial GuineaAfricaImport only [2] Pregnant girls are forced to leave school. [52]
EritreaAfricaImport only [2]
EstoniaEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY (LNG only)€18,73 (UPA)

€15,79 (LNG)

[53]
EthiopiaAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
FijiOceaniaImport only [2]
FinlandEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYNone€33,60 (UPA)

€18,87 (LNG)

>90% [54] Sometimes provided free of charge in hospitals and family planning clinics [55] [56] [21]
FranceEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYLNG and UPA available for free without prescription to minors and adults alike in pharmacies, family-planning clinics, secondary school and university infirmaries [57] [58]
GabonAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY49% [59]
GambiaAfricaImport OnlyRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [60] [11]
GeorgiaCaucasusGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
GermanyEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYParental consent if under 14 years old [61] €30 (UPA)

€18 (LNG)

If under 20 years old, free with prescription [62] [63]
GhanaAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYNone4-19 Cedis64% [59] [64]
GreeceEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€25.77 (UPA)

€7 (LNG)

[21] [65]
GuatemalaCentral AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only)None [66]
Guinea-BissauAfricaImport only [2]
Guinea-ConakryAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
GuyanaCaribbeanGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Guy $1000-$250030% [67]
HaitiCaribbeanGreen check.svgY19% [68] / 58% [69] [2]
HungaryEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgNAnecdotally easy to get without prescription along borders [70]
HondurasCentral AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYN/AN/AAfter having been available one for cases of rape, it became legal for universal access in March 2023. [71] [72]
Hong KongAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [73]
IcelandEuropeGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Green check.svgYGreen check.svgY [74]
IndiaAsiaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY<33% [75]
IndonesiaAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
IranAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
IraqAsiaImport only [2]
IrelandEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNo age restriction [76] [21]
IsraelMiddle EastGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYNoneILS 166 (UPA)

ILS 55-100 (LNG)

[77]
ItalyEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY [21]
Ivory CoastAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
JamaicaCentral AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
JapanAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [78] [79]
JordanMiddle EastRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [2]
KazakhstanAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN€15,10 (UPA)

€5,54 (LNG)

Easy to get without prescription along borders [80]
KenyaAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYNoneKsh20059% [59] [81]
KiribatiPolynesiaImport only [2]
KosovoEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
KuwaitAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [82]
KyrgyzstanAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [83]
LaosAsiaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY
LatviaEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY [84]
LebanonAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN
LesothoAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN35% [59]
LibyaAfricaRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgNDue to conflict in the region [2]
LithuaniaEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only)≥84% [20] [85]
LuxembourgEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYAvailable for free without prescription at pharmacies [86]
MadagascarAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY [87]
MalawiAfricaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY45% [59]
MalaysiaAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY$1.30-5.00 (LNG)
MaldivesAsiaImport onlyRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [2] [11]
MaliAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
MaltaEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY€37,94 (UPA)

€19,90 (LNG)

Available since 2016 after a judicial protest from the Women's Rights Foundation [88] [89] There remains a common misconception that it is an abortifacient[ citation needed ]
MauritaniaAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
MauritiusIndian OceanGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
MexicoNorth AmericaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Green check.svgYNoneFree in family planning centres75% [90]
MicronesiaOceaniaRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgNPossibly due to small population [2]
MoldovaEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY€17,03 (UPA)

€8,04 (LNG) †
€4,21 – €4,73 (Mifepristone)

62% (2012)† Free for women under 21 and in cases of rape at Youth Friendly Health Centres [91]
MontenegroEuropeRed x.svgNPossibly due to small population [2]
MoroccoAfricaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY [92]
MozambiqueAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
MyanmarAsiaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNoneUnder Ks1,000Sale was stopped by authorities during holidays [93] [94]
NepalAsiaGreen check.svgY(LNG only)Green check.svgYGreen check.svgYRs. 100-150 [95] 28% (2011) [96] Sales increased rapidly from 2015, so awareness data is possibly out of date [95]
NetherlandsEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€35 (UPA)

€15 (LNG)

Reimbursed under prescription [21]
New ZealandOceaniaGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Red x.svgNGreen check.svgYNone [97] $35–$50 [98] [99]
NigerAfricaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY4% (2012) [100]
NigeriaAfricaGreen check.svgY(LNG only)Green check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone~$1.0030% (2013) [101]
North KoreaAsiaRed x.svgNDue to conflict in the region [2]
NorwayEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€32,80 (UPA)

€24,60 (LNG)

Often free of charge of needy patients [102] [103]
OmanMiddle EastRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [104]
PakistanAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
Papua New GuineaOceaniaImport only [2]
ParaguaySouth AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgYFree at some public hospitals,

Gs. 35.000 otherwise

[105]
PeruSouth AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgNNoneFreeMany found to be counterfeit [106]
PhilippinesAsiaRed x.svgNDue to active opposition [2]
PolandEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [107] ≥84% [20] [108] Common misconception that it acts like an abortifacient [20]
PortugalEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYFree from family planning centres, €12 otherwise [109] [21]
QatarMiddle EastRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [2]
RomaniaEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€20 (UPA)

€13 (LNG)

≥84% [20] [110] [21]
RussiaAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN€7,55 (LNG)≥84% [20] De facto sold over counter, only LNG available [111]
RwandaAfricaImport onlyRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [2] [11]
Saint Kitts & NevisWest IndiesRed x.svgNPossibly due to small population [2]
Saint Vincent & GrenadinesCaribbeanImport only [2]
SamoaOceaniaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN4.7% [112] †Available only at the TTM National Referral Hospital in Apia, reportedly to discourage ‘abuse’ by either nurses or client. [113]
São Tomé and PríncipeAfricaImport onlyRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [2] [11]
Saudi ArabiaMiddle EastRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgN6.2% [114] Prescription may have been available in the past, but it appears to be banned. [114] [115] [116]
SenegalAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgNNone$10.36 (UPA)

$7.50 (LNG)

13% [117] [118]
SerbiaEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
SeychellesAfricaImport only [2]
Sierra LeoneAfricaGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Red x.svgNRed x.svgN6.2% [119] 30% of girls have their first child before turning 18. Pregnant girls are forced to leave school. [52] [120]
SingaporeAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [121]
SlovakiaEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€27 (UPA)

€22 (LNG)

[122] [21]
SloveniaEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY [21]
Solomon IslandsOceaniaImport only [2]
SomaliaAfricaRed x.svgNDue to conflict in the region [2]
South AfricaAfricaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYR86,68–100,75 (LNG)23% [123] [124]
South KoreaAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [125]
South SudanAfricaImport only [2]
SpainEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone≥84% [20] [126] [21]
Sri LankaAsiaGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Red x.svgNGreen check.svgYRs.90-150 [127]
SudanAfricaRed x.svgNDue to conflict in the region [2]
SurinameSouth AmericaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
SwedenEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYNone€25 (UPA)

€17 (LNG) Free from youth centres

[128] [129] [21]
SwitzerlandEuropeGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY€32,85 (UPA)

€17,50 (LNG)

[130]
SyriaAsiaImport only [2]
TaiwanAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNRed x.svgN [131]
TajikistanAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
TanzaniaAfricaGreen check.svgY (LNG only)Red x.svgNRed x.svgN$5.0011.8% [132] Twenty percent of 15-19-year-old girls become pregnant, and are forced to leave school. [52] [133]
ThailandAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
TongaPolynesiaImport only [2]
TunisiaAfricaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY
TurkeyAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY€12 [134]
TuvaluPolynesiaRed x.svgNPossibly due to small population [2]
UAEMiddle EastRed x.svgNRed x.svgNRed x.svgNN/AN/ABanned because of the claim that it is an abortifacient. [135] [136]
United KingdomEuropeGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYOver 16 without prescriptionFree from health care professionals≥84% [20] [137] [21]
United States of AmericaNorth AmericaGreen check.svgY (80%) [138] Green check.svgY(LNG only)Green check.svgY(LNG only)None [139] $40–50 USD (LNG) [140] [141] 45% [142] [141] "roughly 1 in ten teens were incorrectly told they were too young to get [emergency contraception] without a prescription." [138]
UruguaySouth AmericaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYAdult only [143]
UzbekistanAsiaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY
VanuatuOceaniaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgY1000 VatuPersonal experience in Port Vila, Efate 2018
VenezuelaSouth AmericaRed x.svgNRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY†Technically available, but rare and prohibitively expensive due to economic collapse [144] [145] [146]
VietnamAsiaGreen check.svgYRed x.svgNGreen check.svgY (LNG only) [147]
West Bank and GazaMiddle EastImport only [2]
Western SaharaAfricaRed x.svgNDue to conflict in the region and a small population [2]
ZambiaAfricaGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYGreen check.svgYFree of charge at public health institutions [148] 7.5% [148] [149]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emergency contraception</span> Birth control measures taken after sexual intercourse

Emergency contraception (EC) is a birth control measure, used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combined oral contraceptive pill</span> Birth control method which is taken orally

The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), often referred to as the birth control pill or colloquially as "the pill", is a type of birth control that is designed to be taken orally by women. It is the oral form of combined hormonal contraception. The pill contains two important hormones: a progestin and estrogen. When taken correctly, it alters the menstrual cycle to eliminate ovulation and prevent pregnancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family planning</span> Planning when to have children

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levonorgestrel</span> Hormonal medication used for birth control

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Male contraceptives, also known as male birth control, are methods of preventing pregnancy that are used by males or people who produce sperm. The main forms of male contraceptives available today are condoms, vasectomy, and withdrawal, and these methods combined make up less than one-third of global contraceptive use.

Progestogen-only pills (POPs), colloquially known as "mini pills", are a type of oral contraceptive that contain synthetic progestogens (progestins) and do not contain estrogens. They are primarily used for the prevention of undesired pregnancy, although additional medical uses also exist.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hormonal contraception</span> Birth control methods that act on the endocrine system

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulipristal acetate</span> Chemical compound

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intrauterine device</span> Form of birth control involving a device placed in the uterus

An intrauterine device (IUD), also known as intrauterine contraceptive device or coil, is a small, often T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are one form of long-acting reversible birth control (LARC). One study found that female family planning providers choose LARC methods more often (41.7%) than the general public (12.1%). Among birth control methods, IUDs, along with other contraceptive implants, result in the greatest satisfaction among users.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birth control in the United States</span> History of birth control in the United States

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Combined birth control pills that contain natural estradiol or an estradiol ester include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combined hormonal contraception</span> Form of hormonal contraception combining both an estrogen and a progestogen

Combined hormonal contraception (CHC), or combined birth control, is a form of hormonal contraception which combines both an estrogen and a progestogen in varying formulations.

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