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Published: 21 June 2017

Number of adoptions decreased in 2016

According to Statistics Finland, there were 355 adoptions in Finland in 2016. The figure was 52 lower than in the year before. The number of domestic adoptions was 282 and that of international adoptions 73. The number of domestic adoptions remained almost unchanged but the number of adoptions from abroad decreased by 50 compared with the year before.

Adoptions in 1991 to 2016

Majority of adopted children aged under 10

In total, 160 were girls and 195 boys of all persons adopted in Finland in 2016. Of persons adopted, 102 were aged over 18, the majority being domestic adoptions. In over one-half of the international adoptions the adopted child was aged under five.

Most adoptions from South Africa

The largest group in the adoptions from abroad to Finland were children born in South Africa (16). The next most adoptions were made from Thailand (14 children) and China (12 children). Nearly two-thirds of children adopted from abroad were boys. South Africa, Thailand and China were also the most popular countries of adoptions in two previous years.

Adoptive mother most typically aged 35 to 39

Seven out of ten of the international adoptions were adoptions by two parents. In adoptions from abroad by two parents, the adoptive mother was typically aged 35 to 39 and the adoptive father 40 to 44. Around one-fifth of domestic adoptions were adoptions by two parents. In domestic adoptions the adoptive mother was usually aged 35 to 39 in both one-parent and two-parent adoptions. In turn, the adoptive father was usually aged 35 to 39 in adoptions by two parents and over 60 in adoptions by one parent.

Source: Population and Justice Statistics. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Katariina Heikkilä 029 551 3638, Matti Saari 029 551 3401, info@stat.fi

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

Publication in pdf-format (239.3 kB)

Tables

Tables in databases

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• Database tables and their variables
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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Adoptions childs age and place of birth 2010 - 2016 (21.6.2017)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Adoptions of children born abroad by country of birth in 2016 (21.6.2017)
• Appendix figure 2. Domestic adoptions by adoptive parents marital status in 1991 to 2016 (21.6.2017)
• Appendix figure 3. Adoptions of children born abroad in 1991 to 2016 (21.6.2017)

Quality descriptions

• Quality description, adoptions 2016 (21.6.2017)

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Updated 21.6.2017