Adoptions, 2007

In the latest four years, the number of adoptions of stepchildren has more than doubled, and the 236 adoptions of stepchildren in 2007 represent 34 per cent of all the adoptions last year. The reason for the increase in adoptions of stepchildren the two previous years is, among other factors, that more partners in partnerships adopt their partner’s child. Last year, 30 per cent of the stepchildren were adopted by a partner in partnership, which is an increase of 13 percentage points from 2006.

In the 1970s stepchild adoptions made up about 46 per cent of all adoptions. In the 1980s the share was 35 per cent, and in the 1990s 23 per cent. The share of stepchild adoptions in 2007 is hence at the same level as in the 1980's.

Decrease in foreign adoptions

In the two previous years the number of foreign adoptions has decreased from 704 to 417. The main reason is that the period of waiting for an adoption from China has increased. Still, most of the children adopted inter-country in 2007 came from China. In addition to China, many foreign adopted children came from Colombia, South Korea and Ethiopia. The decrease in foreign adoptions was considerably smaller in 2007 than in the year before.

Most of the foreign adopted children were younger than three years

About three out of four children adopted from foreign countries were younger than three years. Among the adopted stepchildren, one of four were younger than three years and more than every second were twelve years or older. In absolute figures, 374 girls and 329 boys were adopted in 2007.

The counties of Rogaland (86), Hordaland (85) and Oslo (83) had the highest number of adoptions.

If we look at the population, the national average was 15 adoptions per 100 000 inhabitants. The counties of Vest-Agder (24), Rogaland (21) and Buskerud (20) had the highest number of adoptions per 100 000 inhabitants Telemark and Nord-Trøndelag have the lowest numbers, both with seven adoptions per 100 000 inhabitants.

Tables:

• Table 1 Adoptions, by type of adoption. 1966-2007
• Table 2 Adoptions, by type of adoptions and county. 1966-2007
• Table 3 Adoptions, by type of adoption, sex and age. 2007
• Table 4 Intercountry adopted, by sex, age and previous citizenship. 2007
• Table 5 Stepchildren adoptions. Adoptive parent's relationship to the child. 1970-2007
• Table 6 Stepchildren adopted, by sex and age. 1970-2007