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.