Macro Trends in International Adoption

Mini report by Clyde Xi

8/19/2025

International adoption in 2025 continues to undergo transformation—marked by declining numbers, shifting policies, and a growing emphasis on ethics, child welfare, and domestic alternatives.

A. Major Themes

1. Declining International Adoption Numbers

• International adoptions by U.S. families have plummeted approximately 94%, from 22,988 in FY 2004 to just 1,275 in FY 2023.

  
  

2. Country Closures and Restrictions

• China, long the largest source, officially ended its international adoption program in September 2024, citing demographic shifts and a renewed focus on domestic.

• Other countries like Russia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and South Korea have also either banned or substantially limited adoptions to the U.S.

  
  

3. Emphasis on Domestic and Kinship Care

• Domestic solutions—including foster care and kinship placements—continue gaining priority. In FY 2023, 50,193 children were adopted domestically through the U.S. foster care system. With total domestic adoptions (excluding stepparent cases) estimated at ~80,600, foster care accounted for about 62% of all in-country adoptions. 

  
  

4. Evolving Practices and Ethics

• Adoption practices are increasingly shaped by technology, greater inclusivity, safeguards against trafficking, and ethical oversight—though these changes often lengthen processing timelines.

5. Persistent Challenges

• International adoption remains costly—often ranging from $30,000 to $50,000, depending on country and circumstances.

• Geopolitical tensions and ongoing international crises continue to disrupt adoption pathways.

6. Shifts Toward Openness and Transparency

• Influenced by domestic adoption norms, open adoption practices—retaining some contact with birth families—are increasingly encouraged in international contexts.

B. Major Origin Countries for U.S. Adoptions (2023)

From FY 2023 figures: India: 221, Colombia: 200, South Korea: 47, China: 16, Ukraine: 10

Historically, since 1999, primary source countries include China (29%), Russia (16%), Guatemala (10%), South Korea (8%), and Ethiopia (6%) 

C. Special Needs Among Adoptees

a. Prevalence of Special Needs: 

International adoptees increasingly include children with special needs, often due to older age, sibling group status, or medical complexity. China alone saw 95% of internationally adopted children between 2014–2018 identified as having special needs.

b. Types of Physical and Mental Health Issues

• Physical/Medical: Developmental delays, congenital conditions (Down syndrome, cleft lip/palate), sensory impairments (vision or hearing loss), cerebral palsy, HIV, and chronic illnesses.

• Mental/Behavioral: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attachment disorders, learning disabilities, and emotional regulation issues—particularly among older children or those from institutional care.

  
  

c. Implications

• Families and agencies must prepare for long-term therapeutic support, specialized medical care, and cultural identity challenges, which often extend well beyond the adoption process itself.

  
  

D. Implications for Practitioners

1. Policy & Program Design

   
   

   • Agencies must adapt to a shrinking global pool of adoptable children, particularly from historically dominant countries. Greater emphasis should be placed on domestic and kinship placements.

     
     

2. Special Needs Preparedness

   
   

   • With most available children now presenting special medical or developmental needs, practitioners should invest in training adoptive parents, building medical partnerships, and securing funding for specialized care.

     
     

3. Ethical Compliance & Safeguards

   
   

   • Enhanced scrutiny requires agencies to maintain strict adherence to the Hague Convention and emerging national regulations, while advocating for transparency to combat child trafficking concerns.

     
     

4. Post-Adoption Support

   
   

   • Families need long-term access to counseling, medical, and educational resources. Agencies should strengthen partnerships with mental health providers and schools to address trauma, attachment, and identity issues.

     
     

5. Global Collaboration

   
   

   • Practitioners should engage in cross-border partnerships to monitor reforms, share best practices, and balance the global tension between child protection and family placement.

     
     

Conclusion

International adoption in 2025 is at historic lows. The field is increasingly defined by:

1. A sharp decline in overall numbers, especially from previously prominent origin countries.

   
   

2. A shift toward special-needs placements, requiring significant preparation and support.

   
   

3. A move toward domestic and kinship-based solutions, grounded in ethical practice and child-centered care.

   
   

For practitioners, this means reimagining adoption services—not just as facilitators of placement, but as long-term partners in the holistic care and integration of adoptees.

References

1. Pew Research Center — International adoptions to the U.S. have slowed 94% since 2004.

2. U.S. Department of State — FY 2023 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption.

3. The New Yorker — The End of Adoptions from China (2024).

4. The Guardian — China ends international adoption program (2024).

5. National Council for Adoption / Adoption Council — U.S. foster care and adoption statistics (2023).

6. The Guardian — 95% of Chinese international adoptions between 2014–2018 involved special-needs children.

7. ResearchGate — Disability Among Internationally Adopted Children in the United States.

8. Wikipedia — Adoption in the United States (country breakdowns, 2023).