Number of adoptions at lowest level ever in Flanders

In 2025, only 13 children were adopted in Flanders. The lowest number ever. All the adoptions were domestic, since adopting children from other countries has been forbidden since 2023.

The trend of a decrease is thus continuing. In the years before 2023, there were a couple of dozen foreign adoptions by Flemish parents each year. Because of several abuses, foreign adoptions are now temporarily forbidden and will soon be forever stopped. The number of domestic adoptions went from 35 in 2010 to 13 in 2025, according to numbers collected by Katrien Schryvers, MP in the Flemish parliament (CD&V).

In 2025, 377 families submitted their candidacy to become adoptive parents. And the waiting list is already very long. The parents who adopted one of the 13 children in 2025 had to wait an average of 10 years and 4 months.

Schryvers sees a solution in foster care. “Families that want to adopt are people who love children, but are often unaware of foster care. That’s what we want to change.” ​

A new Flemish decree (law) installs a joint preliminary process for adoption and foster care candidates. The intention is to have part of the preparation process for prospective adoptive parents and prospective foster parents coincide. Parents would then be able to make their choice between adoption and foster care during the course of the process.

_{#FlandersNewsService | Katrien Schryvers © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}