Although abortion is commonly practiced throughout most of the world and has been practiced since long before the beginning of recorded history, it is a subject that arouses passion and controversy. This study aims at providing objective information about the nature of laws and policies relating to abortion at the end of the twentieth century, in all countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. It consists of an analysis of abortion laws and policies. Included in this analysis is information on the social and political setting of these developments, the ways in which these laws and policies have been formulated, and how they have evolved over time. Although information on the incidence of abortion and the setting within which abortion takes place are not the focus of the study, the data is provided to enrich the policy picture.