US 2006 International Adoption Statistics Now Available

We've just updated our International Adoption Statistics Page to incorporate the latest 2006 data from the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. We now have 17 years of data online and available for you to review. This is an excellent source of information if you trying to decide which country to adopt from.

Overall the number of orphan visas issued between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006 was 19,797 - down 13% (2,931 visas) over the previous year and the lowest total since 2001.

Eighty percent of the drop (2,346 visas) is due to decreases in adoption from China and Russia. Adoption from China is down 18% (1,413 visas), while adoption from Russia decreased 20% (933 visas). While China remained number one on the list with 6,493 adoptions, Russia dropped from number two to three.

Guatemala, with an increase of 9% (352 visas), is now number two on the list with a total of 4,135 adoptions vs. Russia's 3,706. Adoptions from Ethiopia grew significantly, up 66% (291 visas) to 732, placing Ethiopia fifth on the list overall. Other changes of note include:

• Ukraine - down 44% (361 visas)
• South Korea - down 16% (254 visas)
• Kazakhstan - down 22% (168 visas)

The top four countries on the list (China, Guatemala, Russia, and South Korea) account for 79% of all orphan visas issued -- the same as in the previous year. In total, orphan visas were issued for children from 20 different countries. Visit our International Adoption Statistics Page for more information.

Please note that the actual number of adoptions may vary as it is possible that not every visa issued was used.

While the data does show a decrease in the number of international adoption in the US for the second straight year, it is comforting to know that since 1989 approximately 246,343 children have been adopted by families in the United States -- a number that continues to grow.

What You Need to Know About the Hague Convention

I've been writing in teh ThinkingOfAdopting.com Newsletter about The Hague Convention on International Adoption and how it may affect adoption, especially from China and Guatemala (check out the 10/9/06 and 11/12/06 editions in my Newsletter Archive). If you're in the process of adopting internationally - especially if you're in the early stages - I recommend that you become familiar with it.

To help, I wanted to let you know that that the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has published an excellent guide on the Hague Convention for prospective adoptive parents that I highly recommend to anyone who is adopting – regardless of the country. You'll note that The Hague Convention will require prospective adoptive parents to take 10 hours of training on topics including the intercountry adoption process, developmental risk factors associated with children from the expected country of origin, and attachment disorders.

ThinkingOfAdopting.com has and will continue to provide courses that meet these requirements and we will be happy to provide you with certificates of completion or will forward them directly to your adoption agency. You can view the guide by clicking on the following link:

The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption:
A Guide for Prospective Adoptive Parents

New China Blog Posted - Checking Boxes

Adoption Friends,

We've just posted a link to a new blog on ThinkingOfAdopting.com - Checking Boxes

It's written by Emma and Aaron, a couple from Queensland, Australia who are hoping to adopt a baby from China. I was fortunate to learn of Emma's blog when she contacted me after listening to the Thinking Of Adopting Podcast.

When you read Emma's blog you'll find that while the process in Australia for adopting a child from China is a bit different than in the United States, the hopes and dreams, the ups and downs, and the waiting and the joy for those on their adoption journeys are all the same. I hope Emma's blog may provide you with some inspiration for your adoption journey, and I thank her for sharing her journey.

You'll find a link to "Checking Boxes" and a number of other great adoption blogs on ThinkingOfAdopting.com's Adoption Blogs page. My best to Emma and Aaron on their adoption journey!

Robin Bartko

Adoption Expo In Washington, DC This Weekend

If you live near the Washington DC area, the Freddie Mac Foundation will be holding a free Adoption Expo this Saturday (12/2/06) at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC. This is a great opportunity to learn about adoption from many sources, including the approximately 40 adoption service providers and adoption agencies expected to be in attendance. In addition, there will be workshops for prospective and current adoptive parents as well as "parent-to-parent" discussion groups. ThinkingOfAdopting.com will have a booth at the Expo, and I'll be participating in one of the "parent-to-parent" discussion groups. Dr. Gordina will also be in attendance and presenting as part of one of the workshops. If you attend please stop by and say "hello" - I'd really like to meet you! Visit the Freddie Mac Foundation Expo Page to learn more.

Robin Bartko