Russian ban is a factor as adoptions of foreign children by Americans drop 18 per cent

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The number of foreign children adopted by U.S. parents plunged by 18 per cent last year, to the lowest level since 1992, due in part to Russia’s ban on adoptions by Americans.

Figures released Friday by the State Department for the 2013 fiscal year showed 7,094 adoptions from abroad, down from 8,668 in 2012 and down 69 per cent from the peak of 22,884 in 2004.

As usual, China accounted for the most children adopted in the U.S, with 2,306.

Ethiopia was second at 993, down from 1,568 in 2012. Ethiopian authorities have been trying to place more abandoned children with relatives or foster families.

Russia, which had been No. 3 on the list in 2012, with 748 children adopted by Americans, dropped to 7th for 2013, with 250 children.

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