Top 21 Sending Countries for FY 1999

Total Number of International Adoptions to the U.S. 16,296

1. Russia 4,348
2. 2. China (mainland) 4,101
3. S. Korea 2,008
4. Guatemala 1002
5. Romania 895
6. Vietnam 709
7. India 499
8. Ukraine 323
9. Cambodia 249
10. Colombia 231
11. Bulgaria 221
12. Philippines 195
13. Mexico 137
14. Kazakstan 113
15. Ethiopia 103
16. Poland 97
17. Haiti 96
18. Thailand 77
19. Brazil 64
20. Lithuania 63
21. Muldova 63
Total of Top Twenty-One 15,594

(Source: U.S. Department of State, Office of Visa Processing)

Comments on Changes in Numbers, Countries of Origin

According to the visa statistics published by the U.S. Department of State, 16,396 children were adopted internationally in 1999, up from 15,774 in 1998, and 13,620 in 1997.
The bottom line remains that there are millions of children in the U.S. and around the world who need permanent families. Children have a right to a loving family, and the work of Joint Council agencies must continue to respect the dignity and rights of birth families, adoptive families, and, of course, first and foremost, the children.

Other Interesting Adoption Statistics: Adoptions of Foreign Children Around the World

To France in 1998: Total 3,777
Vietnam 1,343
Colombia 294
Romania 178
Madagascar 174
Russia 156
Other 1,632

To Canada in 1998: Total 2,222
China 901
India 178
Russia 160
Haiti 156
Romania 91
Others 736

To Germany in 1998: Total: 1,567
(includes foreign children who already were in Germany)
Russia 150
Romania 130
Bosnia and Yugoslavia 90
Brazil 89
Turkey 72
Others 832

To Britain in 1998: Total: 258
China 129
Guatemala 27
India 22
Romania 17
Russia 13
Thailand 13
Others 37

(Source: Washington Post, March 20, 1999)

© Roots and Wings Magazine

Credits: Washington Post