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Published: 31 May 2012

Number of domestic adoptions fell slightly in 2011

According to Statistics Finland, adoptions in Finland in 2011 numbered 465, which was 20 fewer than one year earlier. Especially domestic adoptions decreased, as their number was 253, or 40 lower than in the year before. Internal adoptions within families of registered same-sex partnerships decreased in particular, as they numbered 90 last year. In 2010, internal adoptions within families numbered 122 and in the year before it 15.

Adoptions of persons born in Finland to Finland 1987–2011

There were 211 adoptions of girls and 254 adoptions of boys in Finland in 2011. Most, or 285, of the adopted persons were small children aged under five. Seventy-eight were over the age of 18. Children adopted from abroad were rarely over the age of 10. In domestic adoptions, the number of over 18-year-old adopted persons was relatively high at 74.

During 2011, adoptions of children born abroad to Finland numbered 212. The number is 20 higher than in 2010. The largest groups in the adoptions from abroad to Finland were children born in South Africa and China. Adoptions of children born in South Africa numbered 46 and those of children born in China 42. The third largest group in the adoptions from abroad was children born in Russia, of whom 37 were adopted. In 2010, the largest groups in adoptions from abroad were children born in South Africa and Thailand.

Four-fifths of the adoptions from abroad were made by two parents. One-fifth of the adoptions of children born in Finland were made by two parents. In domestic adoptions by two parents, the adoptive father was typically aged 35 to 39 and in respective adoptions from abroad 40 to 44.

Source: Population and Cause of Death Statistics. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Matti Saari 09 1734 3401

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Adoptions by age of child and by birthplace 2000 - 2011 (31.5.2012)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Adoptions of foreign born children by country of birth 2011 (31.5.2012)
• Appendix figure 2. Domestic adoptions 1987 - 2011 (31.5.2012)
• Appendix figure 3. Adoptions of children born abroad to Finland 1984 - 2011 (31.5.2012)

Quality descriptions

• Quality description, adoptions (31.5.2012)

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Updated 31.5.2012