The state-controlled China Daily reports that over 13 million abortions are carried out each year in China.
 

The newspaper says the high number is the result of increasing sexual activity among young people combined with a lack of proper sex education.
 

Research shows that only one in three Chinese know about methods of contraception. Only 20 percent know about sexually transmitted diseases. Two out of three women who have an abortion are single and in their twenties.

For years China has had the world's highest abortion figures.