Last week, the U.S. State Department released a report about international adoptions in the last year—and the results might surprise you.
In 2015, U.S. families adopted 5,648 children internationally—the lowest number since 1981—representing a 75% decline since international adoptions peaked at 22,991 in 2004.
Restrictions, regulations and safety protocols are being put into place in countries that previously lacked the infrastructure to oversee the scope of adoption agreements. These safeguards are being initiated to ultimately better protect the children, ensure that no parent or relative is alive who could care for them and, hopefully, decrease corruption. Understandably, international adoption come to a halt as these countries implement the protocols necessary to ensure a safe adoption process. At the same time, though, the number of children needing the love of a permanent family continues to increase.
If you’re considering international adoption, the landscape has changed significantly!
Although you will have a more difficult time than in the past, adopting internationally is far from impossible! Due to overwhelming demand, most adoption agencies will not be able to place healthy infants at this time. However, children who are two years and older, sibling groups or those who have special needs are much easier to adopt. This is a bright spot in a glum reality: children that were previously overlooked may now have a better chance of finding a family!
If you would like more information about adoption – and what’s right for your family – we can help! Start here.
You can start making a difference today:
- Start an orphan ministry in your church. Check out our Orphan Ministry Guide for Churches to get started.
- Become a Prayer Partner for families considering adoption or those who are waiting to bring a child home.
- Help us provide lifelong families for children in their own cultures. Sponsor a family in Haiti.
Update from Jen Schwartz, Adoption Resources