1. Dr Peter Selman Newcastle University, UK pfselman@yahoo.co.uk The Continuing Decline in Intercountry Adoption 2004-13

2. The Rise and Fall of ICA The period from 1997-2013 has seen a remarkable rise and fall in the number of children moving for intercountry adoption each year. In 1997 there were about 27,000 adoptions; by 2004 this had risen to over 45,000; By 2013 the global total has fallen below 17,000, the lowest figure since the early 1990s. The number of children adopted has fallen in most states of origin – the exception has been for Africa where numbers have risen in many countries.

3. Aim of presentation I have examined the rise in numbers elsewhere – “Global Trends in Intercountry Adoption, 2000-2010” Adoption Advocate 44 https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/publications/a doption-advocate-no-44.html My aim in this presentation is to look in more detail at the global decline 2004-13 and at changes in the characteristics of children moving. I will also look at likely future trends.

5. Intercountry Adoption 2004-2012 20042007200920112012 USA Spain France Italy Top 4 Sweden Norway Denmark Ireland Finland 23 States 22,884 5,541 4,079 3,400 35,904 1,109 706 528 398 289 45,281 19,613 3,648 3,162 3,420 29,843 800 426 429 392 176 37,245 12,753 3,006 3,017 3,964 22,740 912 347 496 307 187 29,433 9,320 2,573 1,995 4,022 17,900 (538) 304 338 188 163 23,412 8,668 1,669 1,569 3,160 15,056 (466) 239 219 119 175 19,338

8. Trends in Intercountry Adoption Between 1997 and 2004 numbers rose by 60% worldwide: by 80% in the USA; by 140% in Ireland; by 475% in Spain. Between 2004 and 2012 numbers fell by 58% worldwide; by 62% in France & USA; by 67% in Ireland; and by 70% in Spain. Italy: 18% growth to 2011 but down in 2012

9. Change in Numbers 2004 - 2012 200420082012 % change Ireland Netherlands USA – FY Spain France 398 1,307 22,824 5,541 4,079 422 697 12,149 2,891 3,504 119 528 9,320 2,573 1,995 - 70 - 60 - 59 - 54 - 51 23 states 45,29929,12723,609- 48% Sweden Denmark Canada Italy 1,109 528 1,955 3,400 729 419 1,946 4,130 630 338 1,969 4,022 - 43 - 36 + 1 +18

10. Receiving States 2009-2013 200920112013 % Change 2011 to 2013 USA 12,7539,3207,094- 24 % ITALY 3,9644,0222,825- 30% FRANCE 3,0171,9951,343- 33% SPAIN 3,0062,5731,188- 54% HOLLAND 682528401- 24% DENMARK 496338174- 49% IRELAND 30718872- 62%

11. Standardised Rates Although the United States receive most children for ICA, other countries have a higher level per 100,000 population or per 1,000 live births (adoption ratio). In 2004 the highest ratios were found in Norway, Spain and Sweden; one for every 100 live births. Ireland’s ratio was similar In 2011 the highest ratio was found in Italy.

12. Adoption Ratios: - per 1,000 births Receiving States: 2004 – 2011 Year > 200420082011 Norway12.85.15.0 Spain12.46.45.2 Sweden11.77.45.6 Ireland9.89.42.6 Italy6.47.37.2 USA5.54.02.2 UK0.50.40.2

13. Top 7 Sending Countries: 1980-2013 1980-891998200420102013 Korea India Colombia Brazil Sri Lanka Chile Philippines Russia China Vietnam Korea Colombia Guatemala India China Russia Guatemala Korea Ukraine Colombia Ethiopia China Ethiopia Russia Haiti Columbia Vietnam Korea China Ethiopia Russia Ukraine Congo Columbia Philippines

14. Top States of Origin 2003-2012 20032005200720092012 2003-12 China 11,23114,4838,7485,0124,13583,460 Russia7,7377,4924,8814,0332,58653,637 Ethiopia8581,7893,0364,5532,80028,471 Guatemala 2,6763,8734,8547851624,431 Colombia1,7491,4721,6341,40791715,500 S Korea2,3322,1211,2261,39681415,387 Ukraine2,0511,9891,6141,50571514,673

16. Age of Children Adopted EURADOPT 2010EURADOPT 2005 0-11-45+0-11-45+ Korea92%8%0%96%4%0% S Africa76%23%1%86%14%0% Ethiopia36%56%8%47%38%15% China11%87%1%28%72%0% India4%68%28%8%76%16% Ukraine---21%79%---40%60% Brazil---22%78%---41%59%

17. Gender of Children Adopted EURADOPT 2010 FemaleMale% girls China30848239% India 442168% Ethiopia 13719641% Korea 4410629% EURADOPT 2005 FemaleMale% girls 1,72411894% 1237163% 16420145% 6518626%

18. Intercountry Adoptions from four continents – as % of all 2003200720112012 ASIA 43%40%36%35% EUROPE 32%21%25%24% Latin America 17%23%12% AFRICA6%13%24%28%

19. Adoptions from Asia Since the late 1990s China has been the most important source of children worldwide, sending more than 135,000 from 1992-2012. Before that Korea had been main source of children and by 2011 had sent more than 165,000. in the 1980s three of the top 5 states of origin were Asian: Korea, India & Sri Lanka. In 2004 47 per cent of adoptions were from Asia but by 2012 this had fallen to 35 per cent.

21. Adoptions from Asia 2003-2012 200320052007200920122003- 12 China 11,22614,493 8,7485,0124,13583,460 Korea 2,3082,1211,2231,39681415,387 Vietnam 9361,1981,6951,50421411,092 India 1,1738751,0037223948,092 Philippines 4185085685564074,918 Thailand 4904674403362623,903 Taiwan 2202622663892982,975

22. CHINA 2003-2013 Country 200320052007200920112013 USA6,8577,9035,4533,0002,5892,306 Spain1,0432,7531,059573677293 Canada1,115960662451343216 NL567666365283197136 Sweden37346228024810759 Norway2982991561066631 Ireland1652311063 TOTAL11,23114,4838,7485,0124,3673,400

23. Adoption from China If adoptions had continued at the 2005 level, by 2010 China would have sent as many children in 17 years as Korea in 50. In fact numbers have fallen and the total sent 1993-2012 is about 135,000, well below the Korean total of 165,000 from 1953-2011 A majority of children now have special needs – and many more are older boys.

24. Sex Ratio in Chinese ICA YEARTotalGirlsBoys% female 200514,22113,556665 95% 200610,6469,6381,008 90% 20077,8586,6501,208 85% 20085,5314,1691,362 75% 20095,2943,9011,393 74%

25. CHINA 2008-2012 (CCCWA) 20082009201020112012 Intercountry 5,5414,4594,9113,8454,030 Domestic 37,00939,80129,61827,579---- Total 42,55044,26034,52831.424---- % ICA 7%10%14%11%

27. Adoption from South Korea In 2007 for the first time for many years there were more domestic than intercountry adoptions. But annual number of intercountry adoptions remained high for a country which is now rich and has lowest fertility in Asia. Number fell from 2,287 in 2004 to 916 in 2011 and 236 in 2013 A new Act in 2012 prioritises domestic adoption and introduced dual citizenship and in May 2013 Korea finally signed the Hague Convention.

28. SOUTH KOREA 1953-2010

29. Intercountry Adoption 1963-2010

30. Adoption in India India has the lowest adoption ratio (0.02 in 2011) of any major sending country and numbers have been falling – from 1,364 in 2000 to 350 in 2013 - but may rise again. In-country adoptions are now more numerous but remain few in relation to need. At the same time concern over irregularities – e.g. children stolen or sold by parents - have been increasing.

31. INDIA 1998-2013 Country19982002200620112013 USA478466320228119 Italy19410213614876 Canada179127365420 Denmark 120933073 Spain9710979357 Sweden786038235 TOTAL1,6181,247846628 350

32. VIETNAM 2003-2012 Receiving Country 199820032005200920112012 France1,34323479030826476 USA603382748100 Sweden18632806500 Canada794501595443 Italyn/a5914023114241 Irelandn/a399213600 Spain01006517841 TOTAL2,4849361,1981,518704214

33. The rise and fall of Eastern European adoptions The fall of Ceausescu in December 1989 and media coverage of the terrible conditions in Romanian orphanages led to a flood of rescuers taking children – an estimated 10,000 adoptions from mid-1990 to the end of 1991 15 years later, Romania – under strong pressure from the EU – called a total end to inter-country adoptions other than by close relatives.

34. Eastern Europe 2003-2013 20032004200820112013 Russia7,7439,4254,1403,3251,767 Ukraine2,0522,0211,5771,073641 Bulgaria963386138316419 Belarus65661661506 Romania4742898522 Poland347408 298310 Lithuania8510312714369 Hungary70 115155112 Latvia6512490119131

35. Adoption from Russia On January 1 st 2013 a new law came in banning adoption by American citizens - following the death of Dima Yakovlev from heat-stroke; the case of Artyam Savelyev, sent back by his adoptive mother; and other incidents involving children adopted in USA. Russia is also talking of banning all adoptions from countries not signing a bilateral agreement. Ireland has no agreement. Russia has signed but not ratified the Hague Convention, so no new DES in 2013.

36. RUSSIA 2004-2013 Receiving Country 200420052007200920112013 US (FY) 5,8654,6392,3101,586970250 Spain 1,6181,262955868712350 Italy 738628492704781730 France 445357402288286185 Ireland 18913116010012417 Israel 95731087510267 Total 9,3847,4924,8814,0333,2921,767

37. Intercountry Adoption from Africa For many years intercountry adoption from Africa was rare. However, the growing demand for young infants - and fall in numbers from many other sending countries – has changed all that, notably in Ethiopia, which sent 4,575 children in 2009 and was the main supplier of children to Belgium: 2 nd largest to the USA, Canada, France and the EurAdopt agencies; 3 rd largest to Australia.

38. Madonna and Child

39. TOP 7 AFRICAN STATES 2012 20122009200720052003 Ethiopia 2,800 4,5753,0341,788855 Congo DR 517 156694624 Nigeria 266 1868310164 Uganda 248 74572212 Ghana 181 122585018 Sth Africa 165 299212233188 Mali 145 19115893135 All Africa 5,268 6,4654,7413,4452,317

40. Standardised Rates 2009 AFRICA Adoptions per 1,000 births Other Countries Adoptions per 1,000 births Peak rate (year) Ethiopia1.28Haiti4.529.6 (2010) Ghana0.5Ukraine3.245.0 (2003) Cote d’Ivoire 0.4Korea3.1613.3 (1985) Mali0.35Russia2.597.7 (2004) S Africa0.27 Guatemala 1.7510.8 (2007) Congo RD0.05China0.280.8 (2005) Nigeria0.03India0.030.05 (2003)

41. % of adoptions from Africa 2003-12 20032005200720092013 All countries: % of adoptions from Africa 5.4%7.8%12.7 %21.7%27.9% % of adoptions to USA from African states 1.8%3.8%9.3%21.8%29.6% % of adoptions to France from Africa 24.4%26.2%29.2%32.6%42.1% % of adoptions to Italy from Africa 2.4%9.1%9.8%12.5%20.1%

42. Source of African Adoptions % of adoptions from Ethiopia

43. ETHIOPIA 2001-2013 200120042007200920112013 USA 1582891,2552,2771,727993 Spain 0220481722440260 France 234390417445288140 Italy 79192256348296293 Canada 153113714515439 Belgium 386212414314457 Ireland 01617214226 TOTAL 7281,5243,0354,5423,4562,025

44. CONGO-Kinshasa 2003-13 2003200520072009201120122013 USA 7111021133240313 Italy 251767123140159 France 65542408462 N’lands 00210242826 Canada 210342620 Spain 812291000 TOTAL 244669157348517583

45. Uganda 2003-13 2003200520072009201120122013 USA 3175469207238276 Netherlands 010212810 Canada 6322523 Sweden 3111100 Belgium0000002 TOTAL12225773225248291

46. South Africa 2003-13 200320052007200920112013 Denmark134632784941 Finland232725414537 Netherlands 435834302326 Belgium13141222 Sweden544644413025 USA261075317 TOTAL 188233235297190213

47. Mali 2003-2013 2003200520072009201120122013 France 1328513511761332 Spain 1103977662 Italy 0212131619197 Belgium 257172150 Canada 0022450 TOTAL 1359315819516313211

48. Adoption from Latin America In the 1980s six of the top 10 sending countries were from Latin America. In 2008 there were three Guatemala, Colombia and Haiti; by 2011 only two: Colombia and Brazil. By 2008, Haiti had became a new major source for France, Canada, the USA and the Netherlands, which led to major issues over Adoption after the 2010 earthquake Brazil still sends 2-500 children a year but most are older or have special needs. Chile and El Salvador send less than 100 a year.

49. Latin America 2003-2013 200320052007201020122013 Guatemala2,6763,8724,851584026 Colombia1,7501,4661,6351,798917566 Haiti1,0569587832,601256471 Brazil472473485380338241 Bolivia273252152735917 Mexico1221631811176237 Peru11417417124109111

51. Child Rescue or Child Theft ? In 2010 the Haitian Earthquake raised fears of “rescue” of children affected. 10 members of an Idaho- based Baptist charity were arrested for trying to take 33 Haitian children across the border with the Dominican Republic – none were orphans Meanwhile fears were also raised over plans to “expedite” adoptions which were “in the pipe-line” – leading to a major report from ISS and debate at the Hague Special Commission 2,600 children were taken to Canada, France, the USA and the Netherlands. None to Italy, Spain or the Nordic Countries.

52. HAITI 2006-2013 Receiving Country 200620072008201020112013 France 5714037319923431 USA 309190302(1,223)33388 Canada 130891111357734 N/lands 41289110807 Spain 152227000 Total 1,1037861,3322,564161471

53. SPECIAL NEEDS ADOPTION For the 2010 Hague Special Commission, states were asked to indicate how many of the children adopted had “special needs” i.e. “those who may be suffering from a behaviour disorder or trauma, physically or mentally disabled, older children (usually above 7 years of age) or are part of a sibling group” The issue of special needs adoption has been identified as a key topic for the next Special Commission in June 2015

54. REUTERS INVESTIGATES Reuters investigative reporter Megan Twohey spent 18 months examining how American parents use the Internet to find new families for children they regret adopting. Reporters identified eight online bulletin boards where participants advertised unwanted children, often international adoptees, as part of an informal practice that's called "private re- homing.” http://www.reuters.com/investigates/ad option/#article/part1

55. Age of Children Adopted in key receiving states - Hague 200520072009 % over 5 % under 1 % over 5 % under 1 % over 5 % under 1 Italy47%6%50%10% 58% 7% France24%32%33%23% 34% 21% USA16%42%18%39% 25% Iceland 6%17%11% 29% 6% Australia 8%47%8%41% 9% 37%

56. Children with special needs - selected sending countries (Hague ) 2005200720092013 Chile100% Latvia53%42%80%97% Albania59%42%66% Lithuania30%34%71% China9%30%49%

57. % of Children Adopted from China with special needs (Hague) 200520072009 Sweden6%25% 69% Netherlands13%42% 66% USA14%42% 61% All States9%30% 49% France6%13% 34% Norway0.1%7% 28% Spain0.1%4% 9%

58. The Impact of falling numbers Declining numbers of children placed for adoption has led to a growing imbalance between supply and demand so that prospective adoptive parents outnumber annual adoptions and many are waiting many years after approval for a child. The Hague conference has noted that as a result agencies have falling income while having to deal with the higher costs of placing children with special needs, while excess of demand over supply creates new pressures on states of origin.

59. European Central Authorities Meeting The 2013 meeting in Dublin noted that: Children available for adoption are getting older and a majority are regarded as ‘special needs’ Preparation of PAPs must take account of this and service providers must manage expectations in line with current realities Decreasing numbers of ICA mean viability of many accredited bodies is in doubt

60. Children in Families First - CHIFF Meanwhile in the US a proposed new law would aim to increase intercountry adoptions. Its proponents see the Hague Convention as bureaucratic and denying homes to thousands of “orphans”. It would simplify procedures and allow easier adoption from non-Hague states. Opponents see it as driven by the Christian- based Orphan Movement – see Kathryn Joyce’s The Child Catchers – and ignoring the dangers for countries like Uganda.

61. Waiting Dossiers in Spain and Ireland By the end of 2012 there were more than 23,000 adoption dossiers waiting for a child. In 2013, there were only 1,188 ICA completed – At the current rate, the “waiting” dossiers would be ‘sufficient’ for more than 19 years!!! [San Roman & Marre 2014] In Ireland there are c 650 valid declarations for ICA – and in 2013 there were less than 20 Hague –compliant referrals

62. Will PAPs turn to Domestic Adoption? There is also interest in whether prospective adopters will turn (or turn back) to in-country adoptions. Some European countries are asking why they have had so few in the last 2-3 decades. In Ireland, there were more domestic than intercountry adoptions in 2013 but a majority were step-parent adoptions.

63. Cross-Border Surrogacy As the number of intercountry adoptions falls, many expect the interest in cross- border surrogacy to increase further. It is clear that already the number of such commercial arrangements is higher than number of ICA – hence concern of Hague Conference for a future international convention: - see recent forum in Den Haag

64. Dr Peter Selman Newcastle University, UK pfselman@yahoo.co.uk Thank you !