Adoption Statistics

These resources provide State, national, and international data and statistics on private, public foster care, and intercountry adoption. Research findings present trends and analyses in the field of adoption.

Because time is needed to compile, analyze, and publish data, statistical publications often are released 2 or more years after the time period being analyzed. Information Gateway makes every effort to ensure the resources provided are the most current statistics available.

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
Reports case-level information gathered on all children in foster care for whom State child welfare agencies have responsibility of placement, care, or supervision and on children who are adopted under the auspices of the State's public child welfare agency. The most recent AFCARS report provides preliminary data for fiscal year 2016.

Adoption Data 2014
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2015)
Offers various reports on State-specific adoption statistics, including adoption subsidies, adoption finalization, and special needs adoption.

Adoptions of Children With Public Child Welfare Agency Involvement by State: FY 2005 - FY 2014 (PDF - 95 KB)
Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2011)
Presents State-level statistics from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System.

Intercountry Adoption Statistics
U.S. Department of State
Presents maps and graphs showing the number of children adopted in the United States from other countries from fiscal years 1999 to 2015. Visitors may view adoption data by country, U.S. State, year, and visa type.

Trends in Foster Care and Adoption
Children's Bureau (2017)
Visualizes national estimates related to children who experience time in foster care and who are adopted from the foster care system. Visitors can also download the national data set, a State-by-State data set, and a PDF of the national report.