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Nearly half of the children adopted from foreign countries are under one year of age
Where do babies come from?

Children are available from over 40 countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and some African countries. In 2007, 75% of foreign children adopted in the United States came from China, Guatemala, Russia, Ethiopia, and South Korea. Nearly half of the children adopted from foreign countries are under one year of age (and almost all of the children are under the age of four). Sibling groups are often available in many countries if you wish to adopt more than one child. One note of caution to remember with international adoption, political changes in country can disrupt (or cancel) potential adoptions at any time.

US Department of State figures (Top 20 countries)

Country 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
China (Mainland)5,4536,4937,906 7,044 6,859 5,053 4,681
Guatemala4,7282,8123,783 3,264 2,328 2,219 1,609
Russia2,3103,7064,639 5,865 5,209 4,939 4,279
Ethiopia1,255732441 289 135 105 158
S. Korea9391,3761,630 1,716 1,790 1,779 1,770
Vietnam828163-- -- 382 766 737
Ukraine606460821 723 702 1,106 1,246
Kazakhstan540587755 826 825 819 672
India416320323 406 472 466 543
Liberia314353182 -- -- -- --
Colombia310344291 287 272 334 266
Philippines265245271 196 214 221 219
Haiti190309231 356 250 187 192
Cambodia--291-- 124 254 407 402
China (Taiwan born) --187141 -- -- -- --
Mexico897098 89 61 61 73
Poland84677373 102 97 101
Brazil5566-- -- -- -- --
Nepal--66-- -- -- -- --
Nigeria--62-- -- -- -- --
Thailand125673 69 72 67 74
Romania---- 57 200 168 782 1,122
Bulgaria---- 110 198 260 297 214
Belarus---- 202 191 169 129 --
Azerbaijan------ -- 62 -- --

Source: US Department of State, Office of Visa Processing, January 2008

China

In 2007, 28% of all foreign children adopted into the United States were from China. In China, infants (usually girls) are abandoned by birth parents who would otherwise suffer penalties for violating China's population control policies.

Guatemala

In 2007, 24% of all foreign children adopted into the United States were from Guatemala. Again, due to severe poverty, it makes it impossible for some families to fully care for their children and international adoption is their best alternative.

Russia

In 2007, 12% of all foreign children adopted into the United States were from Russia. Due to severe poverty, it makes it impossible for many families to fully care for their children and international adoption is their best alternative.

Korea

In 2007, 5% of all foreign children adopted into the United States were from Korea. South Korea has a well-established adoption relationship with the United States dating back to the Korean War. To this day, unmarried mothers still face severe social stigma. Women who choose international adoption as an alternative are entitled to substantial financial support.

 

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The goal of International Adoption Resources (IAR) is to provide orphans in our global community with a brighter future by connecting them to prospective adoptive parent(s) empowered with informational and financial resources. IAR is not an adoption agency, but we work closely with US based international adoption agencies. IAR supports adoptive parents interested in providing homes to international orphaned children.

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