How Many Parents Are Looking to Adopt? (2024)

FAQs

How Many Parents Are Looking to Adopt? ›

Although there are no exact numbers, the number of couples waiting to adopt in the U.S.at any given time is around one to two million people. In fact, that number may be even higher now because there's been an increase in the number of families interested in adoption and a decrease in the birth rate.

While it is difficult to find an exact, accurate number to answer this question, Some sources estimate that there are about 2 million couples currently waiting to adopt in the United States — which means there are as many as 36 waiting families for every one child who is placed for adoption.

Nearly 1 in 4 adopted children make contact with their birth family before they turn 18 years old, according to charity, Adoption UK. It is interesting to me why some do look for them and some don't. I have one girlfriend who has no interest. She says she grew up with no real desire.

How many children are awaiting adoption in the United States? Of the 400,000 children in foster care, approximately 117,000 are waiting to be adopted.

U.S. ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE STATISTICS

53% of the children and youth who left foster care were reunited with their families or living with a relative; 25% were adopted. More than 48,000 youth in U.S. foster care live in institutions, group homes, and other environments, instead of with a family.

There are no national statistics on how many people are waiting to adopt, but experts estimate it is somewhere between one and two million couples.

Other findings about children who were adopted from the child welfare system: In patterns that have been relatively stable for more than a decade, the majority (54% in 2021) of these adoptees are from birth to age 5, just over 1 in 4 is age 6 to 10, 1 in 6 is 11 to 15 and 4% are older youth ages 16 to 20.

Once your adopted child reaches 18, they will make the decision about meeting their birth family. As young adults, they're curious about their roots. Studies show that adoptees experience a shift in their relationships with their birth family and adoptive family once they reach adulthood.

Every two seconds another child becomes an orphan. Less than one tenth of one percent will ever be adopted. so the likelihood is that an orphan will never be adopted. That's about 99.9%.

Adopted children are at a higher risk of mental health issues than non-adoptees. Evidence suggests that adopted children face higher risks for childhood adversity, trauma, and attachment issues. Such problems can include anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and an increased risk for suicide.

Where do most foster kids end up? ›

Most kids (three in five, according to HHS) will be reunited with their parents or other family members. Additionally, 54,200 kids were adopted from foster care, while 114,000 were waiting to be adopted at the end of the fiscal year.

Of the nearly 4 million American children who are born each year, only about 18,000 are voluntarily relinquished for adoption. Though the statistics are unreliable, some estimates suggest that dozens of couples are now waiting to adopt each available baby.

In 2021, about 113,589 children in the United States were waiting to be adopted. This is a decrease from a high of 133,682 children who were waiting to be adopted nationwide in 2007.

Kids who are not adopted often get passed between many foster and group homes until they age out at age 18-21. Kids with disabilities, including learning disabilities, are twice as likely to age out of the system. Once they have aged out, many of these young vulnerable adults face life alone.

Adoptees, particularly those adopted at an older age, may have endured trauma, abuse, or neglect. Such children may be distrusting of adults and may struggle to bond with their adoptive family as a result. They may also present with emotional or behavioral challenges as they attempt to cope with their difficult past.

Once waiting children in foster care are nine or older, they are much less likely to be adopted. In 2015, about 40 percent of waiting children were nine or older, but 75 percent of those who were adopted were younger than nine.

So, why are so many adoptive families waiting? It's because of the decline of the United States' birth rate while the number of interested families has increased. This is one of the adoption statistics that may concern you, whether you are part of the birth family or a hopeful adoptive parent.

The overall decline was attributed to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decreasing rates of intercountry adoptions (also called international adoptions). Let's look at the breakdown of the three main types of adoption to gain a deeper understanding of the most current state of adoption in the US.

People that adopted through infant domestic adoption had the highest level of education and household income, averaged 35 years old, and 94% were married at the time they adopted.