Statistics
There has been a substantial decline in the number of adoptions in Australia since the early 1970s. In 1971–72 there were 9,798 adoptions, which declined to 1,052 in 1991–92, and 576 in 2005–06. A report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics attributes this decline to the introduction of welfare for single mothers, increased legal access to termination of pregnancy, family planning services, access to child care and improved participation of women in the workforce. Forced adoption of tens of thousands of Aboriginals and the children of single mothers continued until the early 1980s.
As the table below demonstrates, Australia has a significantly lower rate of adoption than the United States and the United Kingdom:
| Country | Adoptions | Live Births | Adoption/Live Birth Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 502 (2003–2004) | 254,000 (2004) | 0.2 per 100 Live Births | Includes all adoptions |
| England & Wales | 4,764 (2006) | 669,601(2006) | 0.7 per 100 Live Births | Includes all adoption orders in England and Wales |
| United States | approx 127,000 (2001) | 4,021,725 (2002) | ~3 per 100 Live Births | The number of adoptions is reported to be constant since 1987. |
Low rates of domestic adoptions are attributed to the low number of children who need placement. Low rates of international adoptions are attributed to long wait times (from two to as much as eight years) and high cost (up to $40,000). The following table shows the most recent adoption figures, from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare:
| 2005–2006 | 2006–2007 | 2007–2008 | 2008–2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intercountry adoptions | 421 | 405 | 270 | 269 |
| Local adoptions | 60 | 59 | 70 | 68 |
| 'Known-child' adoptions | 95 | 104 | 100 | 104 |
| Totals | 576 | 568 | 440 | 441 |
Read more about this topic: Adoption In Australia
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