China has announced the termination of its international adoption program, a decision that has left numerous American families in a state of uncertainty. This move comes as the nation confronts a significant demographic crisis, with implications for both its population and economy.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, stated that the country will now only permit adoptions by foreigners for stepchildren and children of blood relatives. The ministry expressed gratitude to foreign governments and families for their intentions and kindness towards Chinese children.
This policy shift marks the end of a program that, since 1992, has facilitated the adoption of over 160,000 Chinese children by overseas parents. American families alone have adopted 82,674 children from China, making it the top source country for international adoptions to the United States.
The decision to halt international adoptions is part of a broader strategy to address China's demographic challenges. The country's fertility rate in 2023 was a mere 1.09 children per woman, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1. This low birth rate, coupled with an aging population, poses serious economic concerns for China's future.
China's adoption policies have evolved alongside its population control measures. The infamous one-child policy, implemented in 1979, prevented an estimated 400 million births before its relaxation in 2015. In 2021, all restrictions on the number of children per family were removed, with the government now actively encouraging larger families.
The impact of these demographic policies is expected to be long-lasting. China's working-age population has been declining since 2012, and projections suggest the elderly population (65 and older) could reach 400 million by 2050. This shift in age demographics presents significant challenges for the country's economic growth and social welfare systems.
For families in the process of adopting from China, the news has been devastating. Many had already connected with children through video calls and prepared their homes for their arrival. Courtney Moore, a prospective adoptive parent from near Houston, shared her heartbreak:
"It's really hard that there are hundreds of families that are waiting, that have a place prepared and we sit here hopeless, with our hands tied."
While China's decision aligns with a global trend of reducing intercountry adoptions, it offers little solace to those caught in the middle of the process. The U.S. State Department has confirmed that only exceptional cases will be processed in the future, leaving hundreds of families in limbo.
As China shifts its focus to domestic solutions, including promoting foster care and incentivizing childbirth through financial subsidies and extended maternity leave, the legacy of its past population policies continues to shape its future. The effects of the one-child policy and subsequent demographic shifts are expected to influence China's society and economy for decades to come.