Adoptions, 2006

The number of adopted children has never been as low in the latest 40 years as in 2006. The main reason is the decrease in intercountry adoptions, especially from China.

Still most adoptions from China

The main reason for the increase in period of waiting for an adoption from China, is the increase in number of applications compared to the number of children released for adoption. Another reason is that it has become more common to adopt children within China. Although the period of waiting for an adoption from China has increased, the country still was the main supplier as in the previous eight years. 90 per cent of the 165 children adopted from China were girls. In addition to China, the intercountry adopted children mainly came from Colombia and South Korea. 85 per cent of all the children adopted from abroad were under 3 years old.

Increase in adoptions of stepchildren

In the two previous years the number of adoptions of stepchildren has increased, and 174 stepchildren were adopted in 2006. This is the highest number since 1999. These children were adopted by a stepfather in 81 per cent of the cases, and by a partner in partnership in 17 per cent. There were approximately as many girls as boys who were adopted by a stepparent, and more than 50 per cent of the stepchildren were 18 years old or older.

In absolute figures, the counties of Akershus (87), Oslo (83), Hordaland (75) and Rogaland (69) had the highest number of adoptions. Almost half of all adopted children went to live in these counties. The lowest numbers of adoptions were recorded in Aust-Agder and Oppland.

Tables:

• Table 1 Adoptions, by type of adoption. 1966-2006
• Table 2 Adoptions, by type of adoptions and county. 2006
• Table 3 Adoptions, by type of adoption, sex and age. 2006
• Table 4 Intercountry adopted, by sex, age and previous citizenship. 2006
• Table 5 Stepchildren adoptions. Adoptive parent's relationship to the child. 1970-2006
• Table 6 Stepchildren adopted, by sex and age. 1970-2006