China’s decision to end most foreign adoptions of its children marks the close of a significant chapter in international adoption. For decades, the country’s strict family planning policies, particularly the infamous one-child policy, led to thousands of children—mostly girls and those with disabilities—being sent abroad to find new homes. The United States alone adopted about half of all these children, creating a profound connection between Chinese adoptees and American families. But with the recent move by the Chinese government, this pipeline has been all but severed, leaving hundreds of families worldwide in limbo, their adoption dreams now uncertain.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s announcement on Thursday confirmed that the country will no longer send its children abroad for adoption, except in specific cases. The exceptions are limited to foreigners adopting the children or stepchildren of blood relatives in China. This dramatic shift has left many prospective adoptive families, particularly in the U.S., wondering what will happen to their pending applications. The U.S. State Department has already sought clarification from Chinese authorities on what the new directive means for families still in the process of adopting. So far, Beijing has indicated that cases not covered by the exception clause will no longer be processed.
The Boom and Decline of Chinese Adoptions
Since the early 1990s, China has sent tens of thousands of children overseas, with American families at the forefront of these adoptions. This surge in international adoptions was largely a consequence of China’s draconian one-child policy. Many families, unable to keep more than one child or preferring to keep male children due to cultural preferences, abandoned girls and children with disabilities, leaving them in orphanages. This tragic situation fueled the rise in international adoptions, with the U.S. welcoming the largest number of Chinese adoptees.
But as China's economy grew and its population dynamics shifted, the need for international adoption declined. The one-child policy, initially enacted to curb population growth, was scrapped in 2015, as policymakers realized it had contributed to an aging population and shrinking workforce—two factors that now threaten China’s economic stability. China quickly moved to allow families to have two children, and in 2021, that number was bumped to three. Despite these policy changes, the birth rate has continued to fall, exacerbating the demographic crisis the country now faces.
In the years since, China's international adoptions have slowed considerably, and the pandemic brought them to a near halt. In 2020, Beijing suspended international adoptions entirely, citing the need to protect children’s health and safety during the global health crisis. No children were adopted from China to the U.S. in 2021 or 2022, and last year, only 16 adoptions were completed. The sharp decline has been striking for families who had long planned to welcome a child from China into their homes.
Uncertainty and Emotional Toll on American Families
For hundreds of American families, the announcement has been devastating. Many had already initiated the long and complex process of adoption, which involves significant time, emotional investment, and financial resources. These families are now left in limbo, unsure if they will ever be able to complete their adoptions. The U.S. embassy in Beijing is pushing for clarity, but so far, no concrete answers have been given about what will happen to those who have been waiting, sometimes for years.
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged the difficult situation, expressing sympathy for the affected families. “We understand there are hundreds of families still pending completion of their adoption, and we sympathize with their situation,” a spokesperson said. In the face of such uncertainty, many families are hoping that exceptions will be made or that some cases might still go through.
A Look at the Numbers
The numbers behind China’s international adoption program tell a powerful story. Since China opened its doors to international adoption in 1992, more than 160,000 Chinese children have been adopted by families around the world, according to China’s Children International, an organization founded by Chinese adoptees. About half of these children found homes in the U.S., making it the largest destination country for Chinese adoptees.
Between 1999 and 2023 alone, American parents adopted 82,674 children from China. These adoptions represented 29% of all U.S. overseas adoptions during that period, underscoring just how significant China’s role has been in the global adoption landscape.
However, since the pandemic, the numbers have dwindled dramatically. In 2021 and 2022, no Chinese children were sent to the U.S. for adoption. While 2023 saw a slight uptick, with 16 children adopted from China, the program’s suspension has left little room for hope among those still waiting.
China's Changing Demographics and Policy Shift
China's move to end most foreign adoptions is not happening in isolation—it’s part of a broader demographic and social policy shift. The country’s birthrate has been declining for years, despite government efforts to encourage families to have more children. After ending the one-child policy in 2015, China initially saw a slight uptick in births in 2016, but that was short-lived. Policymakers then relaxed the rules further, allowing couples to have up to three children starting in 2021, and introduced a range of incentives to promote larger families. These include extended maternity leave, tax deductions, and other perks aimed at making parenthood more attractive.
Yet, these measures haven’t produced the desired results. China’s population continues to age, and younger generations are choosing to have fewer children or none at all. Changing gender norms, the high cost of living and education, and ongoing economic uncertainty have made starting large families less appealing, even with government support.
Global Trends in Adoption
China has framed its decision to end most foreign adoptions as being in line with global trends. Indeed, many countries have moved away from sending children abroad for adoption, preferring to keep children within their own borders or focusing on domestic solutions for orphaned or abandoned children. The shift reflects changing attitudes toward adoption and a growing emphasis on family reunification or local foster care as alternatives to international adoption.
China's decision to end most foreign adoptions fits into this broader global context, but it is also uniquely tied to its domestic policy concerns. With birthrates falling and a demographic crisis looming, China is focused on keeping its children at home and encouraging more families to adopt domestically.
For now, though, the announcement has left a trail of uncertainty. Families in the U.S. and other countries are waiting anxiously for updates, hoping that their years of waiting and preparation won’t be in vain. The emotional and financial toll is significant, and while some may find paths forward through exceptions or other routes, many are left wondering if their dreams of adopting a child from China will ever be realized.
In the end, China’s decision marks the close of an era in international adoption—an era that brought thousands of Chinese children into loving homes around the world, but also one that is now ending as China grapples with its own population challenges. For the families still waiting, the road ahead remains unclear, and only time will tell what the future holds for them and the children they hoped to welcome.
Login