TOPEKA ? The number of abortions performed in Kansas decreased for the fourth straight year, according to state statistics.

There were 10,542 abortions in Kansas in 2005, down from 11,446 in 2004, a nearly 8 percent decrease, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported.

The number of abortion has declined each year since 2001 when 12,422 were reported.

Officials said they had no idea why the number is decreasing except that similar decreases have occurred nationwide.

Of the abortions performed in Kansas, 53.4 percent were to in-state patients, and 46.6 percent were from out of state, mostly from Missouri.

Women 20- to 24-years-old, who had no children and were receiving their first abortion was the largest group reported.