Introduction: the legalization of abortion can be deduced as a current issue since it can be evidenced by various factors and events that have been put into public discussion around the world.Objective: to determine the perception of students regarding the legalization of abortion.Method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out on the social perception of the legalization of abortion in young people aged 18 to 25 years at the University of the Armed Forces Espe, Latacunga Centro Campus. The information was collected using a survey.Results: 16.50 % totally agreed, 22.40 % agreed, 41.20 % neutral and 20 % disagreed with the legalization of abortion. 65.90 % of young people are in complete agreement that adequate sexual education could reduce cases of unwanted abortion, 38.50 % are not sure if legalizing abortion is a right by law. The opinion held by the majority of respondents with 36.70 % is to be in complete agreement that legalization of abortion only occurs in specific cases of rape or incestConclusions: the main finding indicates that they perceive abortion as a normal medical practice like any other that should have safe hospital care. The issue of decriminalization is still controversial in the country because the Ecuadorian constitution does not approve the legality of this