dr peter selman newcastle university, uk [email protected] the continuing decline in intercountry...
TRANSCRIPT
Dr Peter Selman
Newcastle University, UK
The Continuing Decline in Intercountry Adoption 2004-13
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.
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/adoption-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.
2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
50,000
Global Trends 2003-2013
WORLD
TOP 5
USA
Europe
An
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f a
do
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Intercountry Adoption 2004-2012
2004 2007 2009 2011 2012
USASpain
FranceItaly
Top 4SwedenNorway
DenmarkIrelandFinland
23 States
22,8845,5414,0793,400
35,9041,109706528398289
45,281
19,6133,6483,1623,420
29,843800426429392176
37,245
12,7533,0063,0173,964
22,740912347496307187
29,433
9,3202,5731,9954,022
17,900(538)304338188163
23,412
8,6681,6691,5693,160
15,056(466)239219119175
19,338
2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000FIVE RECEIVING STATES 2003-2013
Spain
France
Italy
Canada
Netherlands
An
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2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
4 Nordic States and Ireland 2003-2013
SWEDEN
NORWAY
DENMARK
IRELAND
FINLAND
Num
ber
of I
nter
coun
try
Ado
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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
Change in Numbers 2004 - 2012
2004 2008 2012 % change
IrelandNetherlands
USA – FYSpain
France
3981,307
22,8245,5414,079
422697
12,1492,8913,504
119528
9,3202,5731,995
- 70- 60- 59- 54- 51
23 states 45,299 29,127 23,609 - 48%
SwedenDenmarkCanada
Italy
1,109528
1,9553,400
729419
1,9464,130
630338
1,9694,022
- 43- 36+ 1+18
Receiving States 2009-2013
2009 2011 2013 % Change 2011 to 2013
USA 12,753 9,320 7,094 - 24 %
ITALY 3,964 4,022 2,825 - 30%
FRANCE 3,017 1,995 1,343 - 33%
SPAIN 3,006 2,573 1,188 - 54%
HOLLAND 682 528 401 - 24%
DENMARK 496 338 174 - 49%
IRELAND 307 188 72 - 62%
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.
Adoption Ratios: - per 1,000 births Receiving States: 2004 – 2011
Year > 2004 2008 2011
Norway 12.8 5.1 5.0
Spain 12.4 6.4 5.2
Sweden 11.7 7.4 5.6
Ireland 9.8 9.4 2.6
Italy 6.4 7.3 7.2
USA 5.5 4.0 2.2
UK 0.5 0.4 0.2
Top 7 Sending Countries: 1980-2013
1980-89 1998 2004 2010 2013
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
Top States of Origin 2003-2012
2003 2005 2007 2009 2012 2003-12
China 11,231 14,483 8,748 5,012 4,135 83,460
Russia 7,737 7,492 4,881 4,033 2,586 53,637
Ethiopia 858 1,789 3,036 4,553 2,800 28,471
Guatemala 2,676 3,873 4,854 785 16 24,431
Colombia 1,749 1,472 1,634 1,407 917 15,500
S Korea 2,332 2,121 1,226 1,396 814 15,387
Ukraine 2,051 1,989 1,614 1,505 715 14,673
2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
Top 4 States of Origin 2003-2013
China
Russia
Guatemala
Ethiopia
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Age of Children AdoptedEURADOPT 2010 EURADOPT 2005
0-1 1-4 5+ 0-1 1-4 5+
Korea 92% 8% 0% 96% 4% 0%
S Africa 76% 23% 1% 86% 14% 0%
Ethiopia 36% 56% 8% 47% 38% 15%
China 11% 87% 1% 28% 72% 0%
India 4% 68% 28% 8% 76% 16%
Ukraine --- 21% 79% --- 40% 60%
Brazil --- 22% 78% --- 41% 59%
Gender of Children AdoptedEURADOPT 2010
Female Male % girls
China 308 482 39%
India 44 21 68%
Ethiopia 137 196 41%
Korea 44 106 29%
EURADOPT 2005
Female Male % girls
1,724 118 94%
123 71 63%
164 201 45%
65 186 26%
Intercountry Adoptions from four continents – as % of all
2003 2007 2011 2012
ASIA 43% 40% 36% 35%
EUROPE 32% 21% 25% 24%
Latin America
17% 23% 12% 12%
AFRICA 6% 13% 24% 28%
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.
1976 1980 1990 2000 2010 -
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000 KOREA 1976-2010: CHINA 1990-
2011
KOREACHINA
NU
MB
ER
OF
AD
OP
TIO
NS
Adoptions from Asia 2003-20122003 2005 2007 2009 2012 2003-
12
China 11,226 14,493 8,748 5,012 4,135 83,460
Korea2,308 2,121 1,223 1,396 814 15,387
Vietnam936 1,198 1,695 1,504 214 11,092
India1,173 875 1,003 722 394 8,092
Philippines418 508 568 556 407 4,918
Thailand490 467 440 336 262 3,903
Taiwan220 262 266 389 298 2,975
CHINA 2003-2013 Country 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
USA 6,857 7,903 5,453 3,000 2,589 2,306
Spain 1,043 2,753 1,059 573 677 293
Canada 1,115 960 662 451 343 216
NL 567 666 365 283 197 136
Sweden 373 462 280 248 107 59
Norway 298 299 156 106 66 31
Ireland 16 52 31 10 6 3
TOTAL 11,231 14,483 8,748 5,012 4,367 3,400
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.
Sex Ratio in Chinese ICAYEAR Total Girls Boys % female
2005 14,221 13,556 665 95%
2006 10,646 9,638 1,008 90%
2007 7,858 6,650 1,208 85%
2008 5,531 4,169 1,362 75%
2009 5,294 3,901 1,393 74%
CHINA 2008-2012 (CCCWA)
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Intercountry 5,541 4,459 4,911 3,845 4,030
Domestic 37,009 39,801 29,618 27,579 ----
Total 42,550 44,260 34,528 31.424 ----
% ICA 7% 10% 14% 11%
2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
4 Other Asian Countries
Korea
India
Vietnam
Philippines
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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.
SOUTH KOREA 1953-2010
1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 20050
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
Total Intercountry Adoptions = 165,000
An
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Intercountry Adoption 1963-2010
1970 1980 1990 2000 20100
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
50,000
WORLD
KOREA
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.
INDIA 1998-2013Country 1998 2002 2006 2011 2013
USA 478 466 320 228 119
Italy 194 102 136 148 76
Canada 179 127 36 54 20
Denmark 120 93 30 7 3
Spain 97 109 79 35 7
Sweden 78 60 38 23 5
TOTAL 1,618 1,247 846 628 350
VIETNAM 2003-2012ReceivingCountry
1998 2003 2005 2009 2011 2012
France 1,343 234 790 308 264 76
USA 603 382 7 481 0 0
Sweden 186 32 80 65 0 0
Canada 79 45 0 159 54 43
Italy n/a 59 140 231 142 41
Ireland n/a 39 92 136 0 0
Spain 0 10 0 65 178 41
TOTAL 2,484 936 1,198 1,518 704 214
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.
Eastern Europe 2003-20132003 2004 2008 2011 2013
Russia 7,743 9,425 4,140 3,325 1,767
Ukraine 2,052 2,021 1,577 1,073 641
Bulgaria 963 386 138 316 419
Belarus 656 616 6 150 6
Romania 474 289 8 5 22
Poland 347 408 408 298 310
Lithuania 85 103 127 143 69
Hungary 70 70 115 155 112
Latvia 65 124 90 119 131
Adoption from Russia• On January 1st 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.
RUSSIA 2004-2013ReceivingCountry
2004 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
US (FY) 5,865 4,639 2,310 1,586 970 250
Spain 1,618 1,262 955 868 712 350
Italy 738 628 492 704 781 730
France 445 357 402 288 286 185
Ireland 189 131 160 100 124 17
Israel 95 73 108 75 102 67
Total 9,384 7,492 4,881 4,033 3,292 1,767
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: 2nd largest to the USA, Canada, France and the EurAdopt agencies; 3rd largest to Australia.
Madonna and Child
TOP 7 AFRICAN STATES 20122012 2009 2007 2005 2003
Ethiopia 2,800 4,575 3,034 1,788 855
Congo DR 517 156 69 46 24
Nigeria 266 186 83 101 64
Uganda 248 74 57 22 12
Ghana 181 122 58 50 18
Sth Africa 165 299 212 233 188
Mali 145 191 158 93 135
All Africa 5,268 6,465 4,741 3,445 2,317
Standardised Rates 2009
AFRICA Adoptions per 1,000
births
OtherCountries
Adoptions per 1,000
births
Peak rate(year)
Ethiopia 1.28 Haiti 4.52 9.6 (2010)
Ghana 0.5 Ukraine 3.24 5.0 (2003)
Cote d’Ivoire 0.4 Korea 3.16 13.3 (1985)
Mali 0.35 Russia 2.59 7.7 (2004)
S Africa 0.27 Guatemala 1.75 10.8 (2007)
Congo RD 0.05 China 0.28 0.8 (2005)
Nigeria 0.03 India 0.03 0.05 (2003)
% of adoptions from Africa 2003-12
2003 2005 2007 2009 2013All 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%
Source of African Adoptions% of adoptions from Ethiopia % of adoptions from Ethiopia
ETHIOPIA 2001-20132001 2004 2007 2009 2011 2013
USA 158 289 1,255 2,277 1,727 993
Spain 0 220 481 722 440 260
France 234 390 417 445 288 140
Italy 79 192 256 348 296 293
Canada 15 31 137 145 154 39
Belgium 38 62 124 143 144 57
Ireland 0 16 17 21 42 26
TOTAL 728 1,524 3,035 4,542 3,456 2,025
CONGO-Kinshasa 2003-132003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2012 2013
USA 7 11 10 21 133 240 313
Italy 2 5 17 67 123 140 159
France 6 5 5 42 40 84 62
N’lands 0 0 2 10 24 28 26Canada 2 10 3 4 26 20 20
Spain 8 12 29 1 0 0 0
TOTAL 24 46 69 157 348 517 583
Uganda 2003-132003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2012 2013
USA 3 17 54 69 207 238 276Netherlands 0 1 0 2 12 8 10
Canada 6 3 2 2 5 2 3
Sweden 3 1 1 1 1 0 0
Belgium 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
TOTAL 12 22 57 73 225 248 291
South Africa 2003-13
2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013Denmark 13 46 32 78 49 41
Finland 23 27 25 41 45 37
Netherlands 43 58 34 30 23 26
Belgium 13 14 12 22 22 22
Sweden 54 46 44 41 30 25
USA 26 10 7 5 3 17
TOTAL 188 233 235 297 190 213
Mali 2003-2013
2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2012 2013 France 132 85 135 117 61 33 2
Spain 1 1 0 39 77 66 2
Italy 0 2 12 13 16 19 7
Belgium 2 5 7 17 2 15 0
Canada 0 0 2 2 4 5 0
TOTAL 135 93 158 195 163 132 11
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
• .
Latin America 2003-20132003 2005 2007 2010 2012 2013
Guatemala 2,676 3,872 4,851 58 40 26
Colombia 1,750 1,466 1,635 1,798 917 566
Haiti 1,056 958 783 2,601 256 471
Brazil 472 473 485 380 338 241
Bolivia 273 252 152 73 59 17
Mexico 122 163 181 117 62 37
Peru 114 174 171 24 109 111
2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
4 Latin American Countries 2003-2013
Guatemala
Colombia
Haiti
Brazil
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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.
HAITI 2006-2013Receiving
Country 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2013
France 571 403 731 992 34 31
USA 309 190 302 (1,223) 33 388
Canada 130 89 111 135 77 34
N/lands 41 28 91 108 0 7
Spain 15 22 27 0 0 0
Total 1,103 786 1,332 2,564 161 471
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
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/
adoption/#article/part1
Age of Children Adopted in key receiving states - Hague
2005 2007 2009
% over 5
% under 1
% over 5
% under1
% over 5
% under1
Italy 47% 6% 50% 10% 58% 7%
France 24% 32% 33% 23% 34% 21%
USA 16% 42% 18% 39% 25% 25%
Iceland 6% 17% 11% 11% 29% 6%
Australia 8% 47% 8% 41% 9% 37%
Children with special needs- selected sending countries (Hague)
2005 2007 2009 2013
Chile 100% 100% 100%
Latvia 53% 42% 80% 97%
Albania 59% 42% 66%
Lithuania 30% 34% 71% 71%
China 9% 30% 49%
% of Children Adopted from China with special needs (Hague)
2005 2007 2009
Sweden 6% 25% 69%Netherlands 13% 42% 66%
USA 14% 42% 61%All States 9% 30% 49%
France 6% 13% 34%Norway 0.1% 7% 28%Spain 0.1% 4% 9%
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
