Adoption Statistics

Where the Numbers Come From

The federal government tracks the numbers of adoptions from the U.S. foster care system, and international adoptions; however, since 1992, numbers of private agency and independent adoptions have not been formally reported. The 2000 Census, for the first time in history, included questions about adopted children in the household.

How Many Children Are Adopted Each Year?

It is estimated that around 120,000 children are adopted by U.S. citizens each year. Approximately half of these children are adopted by individuals not related to them (called "stranger adoptions") and about half are adopted by relatives such as grandparents or stepparents. Anecdotal evidence indicates that stepparents are the largest single group of adopters.

• In fiscal year 2003, approximately 21,616 children were adopted through international adoption (source: U.S. Department of State).
• In fiscal year 2002, approximately 51,000 children were adopted from the U.S. foster care system (source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services).
• There are no statistics on adult adoptions.

How Many People Have a Family Connection to Adoption?

Estimates put the number of adopted persons in the U.S. somewhere between 6 and 10 million. A 1997 survey by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute found that 6 in 10 Americans have had personal experience with adoption: they themselves, a family member, or a close friend was adopted, had adopted a child, or had placed a child for adoption.

For more information:

• Adoption Statistics
• Trends in International Adoption: 2003

1. Getting Started with Adoption
2. How Many People Choose Adoption?
3. Is Adoption Right for You?
4. Adoption Self-Assessment Quiz
5. Which Children Are Available for Adoption?
6. Sibling Groups
7. Who Can Adopt?
8. Qualification Requirements for Adopting Parents
9. Your Adoption Options
10. Agency Adoption
11. Private (or Independent) Adoption
12. Options in Independent Adoption
13. Adoption Facilitators
14. International Adoption
15. Foster Adoption
16. Stepparent Adoption
17. Transracial Adoption
18. Special Needs Adoption
19. Military Adoption
20. Making an Adoption Plan
21. Selecting an Adoption Professional
22. Getting an Adoption Homestudy
23. Adoption Costs
24. Why Do Costs Seem So High?
25. Help Handling the Costs of Adoption
26. The Adoption Tax Credit
27. Adoption Subsidies
28. Employer Adoption Benefits
29. Networking & Networking Tools
30. Legal Issues in Adoption
31. Evaluating Adoption Risks
32. Open Adoption
33. Breastfeeding the Adopted Child
34. Coping With the Wait
35. Glossary of Terms
36. Recommended Reading
37. Conclusion