Despite the decline, the overwhelming majority of people in most European nations support the right to abortion.
A growing number of people in Europe are opposed to the right to abortion, according to a new survey conducted by Ipsos MORI.
ADVERTISEMENTAlthough the poll, which took in 17,500 people from 25 countries revealed that 70% believed that abortion should be permitted - 2% lower than in 2014, when the survey was first conducted - the number of people who supported abortion rights declined in eight European nations.
Germany, France and Spain saw a 9%, 6% and 5% drop respectively since 2014.
That said, the numbers of supporters in Europe remain extremely high, with Sweden (88%), Belgium (87%), France (84%), Great Britain, the Netherlands and Spain (all 83%) at the top of the ranking.
Other countries have seen huge increases of support of the right to abortion: South Korea (+20), Mexico (+13) and Russia (+10).
The United States (64%) and Japan (66%), are the only developed nations in the top 10 where acceptance is lowest.
Abortion in the EU
Most countries of the European Union have legalized abortion with or without a mandatory waiting period or counselling.
The practice only remains illegal in Poland and Malta where highly restrictive laws are still in place.