DOWNWARD TREND CONTINUES:
CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION CANADA RELEASES STATISTICS FOR 2006

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(August 16, 2007)   Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) today released the international adoption statistics for 2006 to the Adoption Council of Canada. In 2006 Canadians adopted 1,535 children from abroad, compared to 1,871 the year before. Once again, China stayed by far the number one choice of Canadian families.

Intercountry adoptions to Canada have been stable for eleven years, running between 1,800 and 2,200 a year. However, as evident by the numbers below, the decline in international adoption for 2006 is sharper than in previous years. In fact, the numbers are down nearly 18% in one year:

2006: 1,535

2005: 1,871

2004: 1,955

 

2003: 2,180

 

2002: 1,926

 

2001: 1,874

 

2000: 1,866

 

1999: 2,019

 

1998: 2,222

 

1997: 1,800

 

1996: 2,061

 

ADOPTIONS BY COUNTRY

 

International Adoptions in Canada, Top 25 Countries

 

2006

2005

2004

People’s Republic of China

608

973

1,001

Haiti

123

115

159

Republic of Korea

102

97

97

United States

96

102

81

Russia

95

88

106

Ethiopia

61

31

34

Philippines

53

70

62

India

36

41

37

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

34

x

6

Columbia

31

18

38

Ukraine

23

39

16

Thailand

21

21

40

Jamaica

19

22

23

Pakistan

19

17

7

Liberia

16

10

x

Taiwan

12

30

15

Bulgaria

11

10

10

Cambodia

10

10

14

Kazakhstan

10

x

x

Republic of South Africa

9

x

8

Mexico

9

x

5

Guyana

7

8

14

Nigeria

7

6

6

Brazil

7

6

x

Albania

7

x

x

Other Countries

109

157

176

Total

1,535

1,871

1,955

x - From 0 to 4

Note: Due to privacy considerations, some cells in this table have been suppressed and replaced with the notation “x”. As a result, components may not sum to the total indicated. In general, CIC has suppressed cells containing less than five cases except in circumstances where, in their judgement, they are not releasing personal information on an identifiable individual.

Although the overall number of international adoptions was down in 2006, more than half of the top 25 countries showed increases. Increases were noted for the following countries: Haiti, Republic of Korea, Russia, Ethiopia, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Columbia, Pakistan, Liberia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Republic of South Africa, Mexico, Nigeria, Brazil and Albania.

 

The decline in overall numbers can thus be largely attributable to the 37.5% decline in adoptions from the People’s Republic of China. Nevertheless, China remains by far the most popular country. It is the choice of almost 40% of Canadians adopting from abroad – 608 Chinese children found homes in Canada in 2006.

 

There are also five countries new to the top 25 list: Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Republic of South Africa, Mexico, and Albania.

 

In turn, some countries have fallen off the top 25 chart. The following countries did not make the list in 2006 and had made the list in 2005: Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Hong Kong, El Salvador, and St.Vincent/Grenadines.

 

ADOPTIONS BY PROVINCE 

International Adoptions by Province

 

2006

2005

2004

Alberta

107

112

90

British Columbia

263

269

227

Manitoba

55

42

38

New Brunswick

17

32

34

Newfoundland & Labrador

16

7

13

Nova Scotia

47

60

53

Northwest Territories

x

5

x

Nunavut

x

x

x

Ontario

494

679

673

Prince Edward Island

x

x

x

Québec

487

615

783

Saskatchewan

42

42

29

Yukon

x

x

8

Total

1,535

1,871

1,955

x - From 0 to 4


 

Ontario and Québec remain the two leading destination provinces for international adoptions. In 2006, Ontario was first, receiving 494 children from abroad and Québec was second, with 487.

 

Most provinces, including Ontario and Québec, witnessed decreases in the number of international adoptions, consistent with the overall decline. However, Newfoundland & Labrador and Manitoba reported increases. Saskatchewan reported no change over the last two years.

 

International Adoptions by Province and Country, 2006

 

AB

BC

MB

NB

NL

NS

NT

NU

ON

PE

QC

SK

YT

Canada

People’s Republic of China

32

80

14

7

8

39

x

x

200

x

216

6

x

608

Haiti

16

15

x

0

x

x

x

x

14

x

71

x

x

123

Republic of Korea

8

11

x

0

x

x

x

x

31

x

52

x

x

102

United States

7

46

x

5

x

x

x

x

22

x

5

8

x

96

Russia

x

15

x

x

x

x

x

x

66

x

5

x

x

95

Ethiopia

10

16

21

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

8

x

61

Philippines

x

12

x

x

x

x

x

x

16

x

12

6

x

53

India

x

10

x

x

x

x

x

x

20

x

x

x

x

36

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

28

x

x

34

Columbia

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

26

x

x

31

Ukraine

x

x

7

x

x

x

x

x

7

x

x

x

x

23

Thailand

x

6

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

9

x

x

21

Jamaica

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

14

x

x

x

x

19

Pakistan

x

6

x

x

x

x

x

x

11

x

x

x

x

19

Liberia

x

13

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

16

Taiwan

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

9

x

x

12

Bulgaria

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

9

x

x

x

x

11

Cambodia

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

10

Kazakhstan

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

7

x

x

x

x

10

Mexico

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

9

x

x

9

Republic of South Africa

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

8

x

x

x

x

9

Albania

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

7

x

x

x

x

7

Brazil

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

7

Guyana

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

7

x

x

x

x

7

Nigeria

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

7

Other Countries

6

24

x

x

x

x

x

x

41

x

33

x

x

109

Total

107

263

55

17

16

47

x

x

494

x

487

42

x

1,535

x - From 0 to 4

 

This table shows the number of children from sending countries to receiving provinces/territories in 2006.

 

As discussed in previous years, the figures show interesting regional differences. For instance, 84% of adoptions from Columbia, 83% of adoptions from Vietnam, and 58% of all adoptions from Haiti were from families residing in the province of Québec. As well, 81% of adoptions from Liberia and nearly half of the adoptions from the United States were by families in British Columbia.

 

These differences are often attributable to the countries of designation and the outlined procedures at the individual international adoption agencies in each province/territory.

 

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS BY AGE AND GENDER

 

International Adoptions by Age and Gender, 2006

 

Females

 

Males

 

0-4

5-9

10-14

15 years of age or more

0-4

5-9

10-14

15 years of age or more

People’s Republic of China

555

x

x

x

39

x

x

x

Haiti

51

6

6

7

41

x

x

x

Republic of Korea

23

x

x

x

72

x

x

x

United States

43

x

x

5

29

6

x

x

Russia

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Ethiopia

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Philippines

19

x

x

6

11

x

x

x

India

10

x

x

9

x

x

x

x

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

10

x

x

x

18

x

x

x

Columbia

x

x

x

x

12

6

x

x

Ukraine

7

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Thailand

7

x

x

x

11

x

x

x

Jamaica

x

x

x

7

x

x

x

x

Pakistan

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Liberia

7

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Taiwan

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Bulgaria

x

x

x

x

7

x

x

x

Cambodia

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Kazakhstan

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Mexico

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Republic of South Africa

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Albania

x

x

x

x

5

x

x

x

Brazil

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Guyana

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Nigeria

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Other Countries

39

5

10

9

25

10

x

x

Total

872

45

44

61

407

48

27

30

x - From 0 to 4

 

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION BY AGE AND GENDER (2006-2005)

 

 

 

2006

2005

Males

0 to 4 years of age

407

370

 

5 to 9 years of age

48

40

 

10 to 14 years of age

27

29

 

15 years of age or more

30

58

 

Total Male

512

497

Females

0 to 4 years of age

872

1,195

 

5 to 9 years of age

45

59

 

10 to 14 years of age

44

54

 

15 years of age or more

61

66

 

Total Female

1,022

 1,374

Not stated

0 to 4 years of age

0

0

Not stated

5 to 9 years of age

1

0

 

Total Not Stated

1

0

Total

 

1,535

1,871

 

Of the 1,535 adoptions in 2006, 1,022 of the children adopted were girls and 512 were boys. As in previous years, the large number of girls reflects the high proportion of girls in Chinese orphanages. Nevertheless, it should be noted that there was a small increase in the number of boys adopted internationally. These increases are noted for boys aged 0-9.

 

ADOPTIONS BY CENSUS METROPOLITAN AREA

International Adoptions by CMA

 

2006

2005

2004

Montréal

260

331

404

Toronto

243

343

340

Vancouver

151

155

124

Ottawa-Gatineau

55

109

98

Calgary

50

48

36

Québec

48

65

73

Winnipeg

35

30

28

Edmonton

31

35

31

Hamilton

25

30

33

London

24

25

15

Victoria

23

25

20

Other Regions

590

675

753

Total

1,535

1,871

1,955

 

As in 2004, Montréal was the leading destination province for international adoptions in 2006.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For previous reports on international adoption, see:

(August 17, 2006) INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS DOWN IN 2005, http://www.adoption.ca/news/news08172006_stats2005.htm

(May 27, 2005) CHINA LEADS ADOPTION STATISTICS FOR 2004, http://www.adoption.ca/news/050527stats04.htm

(June 28, 2004)  INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS UP: 2,181 IN 2003, http://www.adoption.ca/news/040628stats03.htm

(Dec. 12, 2003)  CANADIANS ADOPT ALMOST 20,000 CHILDREN FROM ABROAD, http://www.adoption.ca/news/031212cicstats.htm

(May 6, 2003)  INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS STEADY IN CANADA, http://www.adoption.ca/news/030506stats02.htm

For more statistics, see "ACC - Statistics", http://www.adoption.ca/statistics.htm

 

ABOUT ACC

Based in Ottawa, the Adoption Council of Canada is a federally chartered, charitable organization which aims to inform and educate Canadians about all aspects of adoption, and encourage the adoption of children needing permanent homes.

Interested in domestic adoption? Consult Canada's only national photolisting web site, "Canada's Waiting Kids", http://www.canadaswaitingkids.ca, run by the Adoption Council of Canada. It shows photos and profiles of children in the care of Canadian child welfare agencies and waiting for permanent adoptive families.

For definitions of adoption terms, go to http://www.adoption.ca and click "Glossary".

Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Facts & Figures 2006

Source: Adoption Council of Canada, www.adoption.ca  

Copyright 2007 Adoption Council of Canada. Reproduction permitted, if credited "Source: Adoption Council of Canada, www.adoption.ca”.

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