Adoption Statistics and Facts – 2023

Adoption remains one of the most profound ways to create families and transform lives.

Here are some adoption statistics and facts – 2023.

In 2023, open adoptions made up approximately 38% of all adoptions across the United States.

Open adoptions allow biological families to stay connected with the adoptive family and their child.

This type of arrangement creates transparency and fosters stronger relationships for everyone involved.

While international adoptions have declined due to stricter regulations and higher costs, domestic adoptions have increased steadily.

This rise reflects a growing focus on finding permanent homes for children within local communities.

Adoption continues to play a vital role in providing children with stability, safety, and the love they deserve.

Families that adopt not only enrich their own lives but also change the trajectory of a child’s future.

Table of Contents

1. Foster Care in Georgia
2. Adoption Numbers in Georgia in 2023
3. Neglect and Abandonment Statistics in Georgia
4. Average Age of Adopted Children
5. Average Age of Adopting Parents
6. Final Thoughts on Adoption

Foster Care in Georgia

In Georgia, over 10,000 children are currently in foster care waiting for stable, loving homes.

Each child in the foster system faces unique challenges, including instability and uncertainty about their future.

Foster families step in to provide temporary care, offering children the safety, love, and support they desperately need.

Becoming a foster parent can feel intimidating, but it’s one of the most impactful choices you can make.

Georgia offers extensive resources to foster parents, including training, financial assistance, and ongoing guidance.

Every foster family has the potential to provide hope and transform the life of a child facing difficult circumstances.

If you’ve ever thought about fostering, there is no better time to start and make a lasting difference.

Adoption Numbers in Georgia in 2023

Adoptions in Georgia continue to bring hope and joy to families and children across the state.

While the final numbers for 2023 are still being compiled, officials estimate thousands of children will be adopted this year.

These adoptions include children of all ages, from infants to teenagers, each with their own inspiring and unique story.

Every successful adoption represents a fresh start for a child and an opportunity for a family to grow and thrive.

Adoptive families in Georgia demonstrate incredible compassion and commitment by welcoming children into their homes.

The increasing number of adoptions highlights the importance of community support and dedicated parents.

Adoption isn’t just a legal process – it’s a life-changing act that creates permanent connections and transforms lives forever.

Neglect and Abandonment Statistics in Georgia

Every year, thousands of children in Georgia face neglect or abandonment.

These situations often arise from systemic and personal challenges, including severe financial hardship, substance abuse, mental health disorders, or even intergenerational cycles of trauma.

Underlying Causes:

• Financial Hardship: Families living in poverty may struggle to meet the basic needs of children, such as adequate food, housing, and healthcare, leading to neglect.
• Addiction: Substance abuse can impair caregivers’ ability to provide stable and nurturing environments, sometimes resulting in children being abandoned or left in unsafe conditions.
• Mental Health: Untreated mental health conditions may render parents unable to manage responsibilities, leading to unintentional neglect.

Efforts of Advocacy and State Programs:

Advocacy organizations like Voices for Georgia’s Children and state-run agencies like the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) strive to protect children by providing emergency intervention, counseling, foster placements, and adoption services.

Nonprofits play a critical role in raising awareness, offering educational programs, and supporting families to prevent crises.

The Gaps in Support:

Despite these efforts, resource limitations often prevent timely intervention.

Many children continue to face unsafe or unstable environments because the available programs are overburdened or lack funding.

Importance of Awareness:

Raising public awareness about these challenges is crucial.

By educating the community, individuals can learn to identify the signs of neglect or abandonment and take appropriate action.

Communities that understand the issues can offer grassroots support, such as volunteering in mentorship programs, supporting foster families, or advocating for systemic changes in child welfare policies.

What You Can Do:

Recognize and Report: If you suspect neglect or abandonment, reporting to local child protective services or law enforcement can initiate critical intervention.

In Georgia, the DFCS Child Protective Services hotline is a key resource.

• Engage in Solutions: Consider supporting local foster care initiatives, donating to organizations assisting vulnerable families, or participating in awareness campaigns.
• A Call to Community Action: Ensuring the well-being of children is a shared responsibility. Community involvement—from individuals to legal professionals—can provide a lifeline for these children. For instance, family lawyers and advocates can help grandparents or other relatives secure custody, while community members can push for improved legal protections.

Together, as a society, we can address the root causes and offer protection and stability to every child, ensuring that no one is left to face such adversities alone.

Average Age of Adopted Children in Georgia

The average age of children being adopted in Georgia is approximately seven years old.

This statistic demonstrates that older children are finding stable, loving homes through adoption.

While many people associate adoption with infants, children of all ages deserve the love and security of a family.

Families that adopt older children provide them with a chance to grow, learn, and build a better future.

These children often bring unique perspectives, resilience, and strength that enrich their adoptive families’ lives.

Adopting older children is a meaningful way to create lasting change and provide them with the foundation they need to succeed.

No matter their age, every child deserves a fresh start and the opportunity to thrive in a caring home.

Average Age of Adopting Parents in Georgia

The average age of adopting parents in Georgia is in their mid-thirties, reflecting a critical time in life.

At this stage, many individuals and couples feel ready to take on the responsibilities of parenthood through adoption.

Adoptive parents come from diverse backgrounds, each with their own motivations and unique life experiences.

Some adoptive parents expand their families, while others begin their parenting journey through adoption.

Regardless of age, every adoptive parent shares the same commitment to creating a safe, loving, and supportive home.

Adoption proves that there’s no such thing as a perfect age to become a parent – dedication and love matter most.

Families of all ages and sizes have the potential to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of children.

Final Thoughts on Adoption

Adoption is more than just a process – it’s a transformative journey that touches the lives of everyone involved.

The 2023 adoption statistics reveal areas for improvement, such as addressing neglect and reducing abandonment.

They also highlight the progress being made, as more foster children find permanent, loving homes through adoption.

Choosing to adopt a child is a meaningful decision that requires preparation, patience, and unwavering dedication.

Fortunately, families embarking on this journey have access to resources, support groups, and expert guidance.

When handled with care and compassion, adoption creates lifelong bonds and brings immeasurable joy to both children and parents.

Every child deserves the love, safety, and stability of a family, and every family has the power to offer hope and opportunity.

By embracing adoption, you can change a child’s life forever while experiencing one of life’s greatest joys.