The Latest International Adoption Statistics

Adoption Friends:

Data available from the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs' web site on "Immigrant Visas Issued to Orphans coming to the United States" (http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/stats/stats_451.html) gives us a good idea on how many children were adopted internationally last year in the United States.

The data shows that during the last fiscal year (October 2004-September 2005), 22,728 visas were issued, just slightly lower than the 22,884 issued during the same period the previous year.

While the total number was relatively constant, the number of adoptions from Russia dropped by 1,226 (21%) to 4,639, the lowest amount since FY2001. Still, Russia ranks second only to China (which increased 12%) in the number of orphan visas issued last fiscal year. Also of note was that 441 visas were issued in FY2005 for children from Ethiopia, up 53% from the previous year.

As it was last year, visas issued for children being adopted from the top four ranking countries -- China, Russia, Guatemala, and South Korea -- account for the vast majority of all international adoption in the US (79% in FY2005). However, there were 16 other countries from which children were adopted ranging from Kazakhstan and the Ukraine to Moldova, Nepal, and Jamaica.

We've compiled all the U.S. Department of State's Orphan Visa statistics from 1995-2005 in a single, easy to view spreadsheet on ThinkingOfAdopting.com. You can find it on the "Int'l Adoption Statistics" page by going to the International Adoption Statistics Page on ThinkingOfAdopting.com. I think you'll find it very interesting -- I sure did!

Robin Bartko

Announcing "Ask Dr. Gordina"

Adoption Friends:

Do you have questions on the medical aspects of international adoption? ThinkingOfAdopting.com is excited to announce that Dr. Alla Gordina, board-certified pediatrician, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a member of its Section on Adoption and Foster Care, has been kind enough to agree to answer your general questions on the medical aspects of international adoption on the "Ask Alla Gordina, MD FAAP" section of the ThinkingOfAdopting.com Forum.

As some of you may have already had the chance to learn from Dr. Gordina through her ThinkingOfAdopting.com adoption telecourse, "Medical Aspects of International Adoption" (presented in December 2005 or February 2006), you know that this is a great opportunity.

So no matter if you're just thinking of adopting or you are already an adoptive parent, post your questions (don't be shy!) or learn from her answers to others. I know I certainly do! She's already answered questions on issues including delays, parasites, and feeding toddlers.

I sincerely thank Dr. Gordina -- a truly wonderful individual -- for all she is doing to help us on our adoption journeys.

Robin Bartko

How Much Does it Cost to Adopt?

Adoption Friends:

Are you wondering how much it costs to adopt? The January/February 2006 issue of Adoptive Families Magazine (www.AdoptiveFamilies.com) has a great article entitled, "Affording Adoption" by Michele St. Martin that you should read.

St. Martin presents the results of an Adoptive Families reader survey conducted in November, 2005 that showed that the most common price of an adoption as $20,000-$25,000 (before tax credits or any other employer benefits). Domestic adoptions are less expensive than international adoptions on average (the cost being driven up by travel expenses). The survey data presented by St. Martin shows that Russia is the most expensive country for international adoption with China and Korea being the least expensive.

I found the statistics on the "financial risks of failed adoptions" in the article of note: 29% of domestic adoptive parents had a failed adoption before one succeeded vs. 7.4% for international adoptive parents. Of the failed adoptions, over 68% cost the family less than $5,000, with approximately 80% costing less than $10,000.

If you don't subscribe to Adoptive Families Magazine, you can purchase this issue on-line at www.adoptivefamilies.com/table_of_contents.php

My compliments to Michele St. Martin and Adoptive Families Magazine for this very informative article.

Robin Bartko

Robin in the Newspaper

Adoption Friends:

FYI -- Wanted to let you know that an article about Robin and why she started ThinkingOfAdopting.com appeared in "The View from Ellicott City", a local Maryland newspaper. You can read the article on "The View Newspapers" website by clicking on the following link:

Howard County Mom Helps Others Navigate the Adoption Process

Dennis Bartko
(Robin's husband)