PIP: Abortion figures for 1978 in West Germany reflect underregistration of unknown magnitude. A total of 73,548 abortions were registered in 1978, 35.4% more than the preceding year. 5.6 abortions were reported per 1000 women aged 15-45, compared to 4.1 in 1977. There were 127.0 abortions per 1000 live and still births, compared to 92.6 in 1977. The number of reported abortions increased in every region of the Federal Republic. "Social indications" accounted for 67% of the abortions in 1978, compared to 57.7% in 1977 and 44.9% in 1976. A breakdown of reasons for abortion by woman's age is provided. 55% of abortions were performed in women under 30 years. 42,620 abortions in 1978 were obtained by married women and 24,490 by single women. Over 90% of abortions were performed between 6 and 12 weeks of gestation, with 41.8% between 8 and 9 weeks and 29.6% between 10 and 12 weeks. Vacuum aspiration was employed in 57.1% of the procedures, while curettage was used in 35.4%. Vacuum aspiration is becoming increasingly important while curettage is declining in use. Complications were reported in 2,566 of the 73,548 abortions reported in 1978, with vacuum aspiration having the lowest complication rates. Despite the deficiencies the available abortion statistics do indicate the structure and development of abortion in Germany.