The total number of international adoptions fell by 18 percent in 2013, to the lowest level since 1992, due in part to Russia’s ban on adoption by Americans and further declines in adoption from South Korea and Ethiopia.
According to the State Department, international adoptions totaled 7,094 in 2013, down from 8,668 in 2012, 9,320 in 2011 and 11,059 in 2010. International adoptions reached an all-time high in 2004 with 22,884 completed in that year.
China continued to have the highest number of international adoptions with 2,589. Ethiopia was the second highest with 1,568, and Russia was third with 748 adoptions.
The top ten countries for 2012 were:
1. China – 2,301
2. Ethiopia – 993
3. Ukraine – 438
4. Haiti – 388
5. Democratic Republic of Congo – 313
6. Uganda – 276
7. Russia – 250
8. Nigeria – 183
9. Philippines – 178
10. Ghana – 170
South Korea fell out of the top ten countries this year, completing only 138 adoptions in 2013.
To compare these numbers to previous years, look back to last year’s blog post. You can read the report at the State Department website. Or read the Associated Press’ take on the trend.
