NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 315 ■ July 2018

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Adoption-related Behaviors Among Women Aged 18–44 in 

the United States: 2011–2015

Chinagozi Ugwu, M.P.H., and Colleen Nugent, Ph.D.

Key findings

Data from the National 

Survey of Family Growth

● Nearly 4 in 10 U.S. adult

women aged 18–44 in

2011–2015 had ever considered

adopting a child, while less

than 1% (0.7%) of women aged

18–44 had ever adopted a child.

● Approximately one-half

of women aged 18–44 with 

current fertility problems 

(52.6%) had ever considered 

adopting.

● The percentage of women

who were currently seeking to 

adopt a child was higher among 

women aged 25–34 and 35–44 

compared with women aged 

18–24, and among women 

with current fertility problems 

compared with women without 

fertility problems.

● Women aged 35–44 were

more likely to have ever 

adopted compared with women 

of other age groups.

People may choose to adopt a child for several reasons, including starting or 

growing a family, infertility, legal acknowledgment of a parental relationship 

with a nonbiological child, or for humanitarian reasons (1,2). Since 1973, the 

National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) has gathered data from women on 

adoption and adoption-related topics (3–7). Using data from NSFG, this report 

provides the most recent estimates on current adoption and adoption-related 

behaviors among women aged 18–44 in the United States in 2011–2015.

Keywords: family formation • fertility • U.S. women • National Survey of 

Family Growth 

Most women who ever considered adopting a child did not 

seek to adopt nor have they ever adopted a child.

Figure 1. Percentage of women aged 18–44 who ever considered adopting, were currently 

seeking to adopt, or had ever adopted a child: United States, 2011–2015 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES: Ever considered adopting a child includes women who were currently seeking to adopt and women who ever adopted a 

child. Currently seeking to adopt includes women who were seeking to adopt a nonbiological child living with them or another 

nonbiological child not living with them. Ever adopted includes women who ever adopted a child, regardless of prior relationship to 

that child. The adopted child could be a child of her spouse or partner or a child of another relative. Access data table for Figure 1 

at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db315_table.pdf#1.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2015.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 315 ■ July 2018

■  2  ■

● Among women aged 18–44 in 2011–2015, 37.7% had ever considered adopting a child 

(Figure 1).

● In 2011–2015, 1.2% of women aged 18–44 were seeking to adopt a child and 0.7% had ever 

adopted a child.

Approximately one-half of women aged 18–44 with current fertility 

problems had ever considered adopting a child.

● The percentages of women who had ever considered adopting a child were similar across 

age groups (Figure 2).

● The percentages of women who had ever considered adopting a child were similar for 

Hispanic (34.7%), non-Hispanic white (37.4%), and non-Hispanic black (39.7 %) women.

● The percentage of women aged 18–44 who had ever considered adopting a child was higher 

for those with current fertility problems (52.6%) than for those without (35.3%).

● Among women aged 18–44, those who had never given birth were most likely to have ever 

considered adopting a child (43.5%), followed by women who had given birth to one child 

(38.1%) and women with two or more children (31.8%).

Figure 2. Percentage of women aged 18–44 who had ever considered adopting a child, by selected characteristics: 

United States, 2011–2015

 

 

 

 

NOTES: Ever considered adopting a child includes women who were currently seeking to adopt and women who had ever adopted a child. Age, fertility problems, 

and number of previous live births were measured at the time of interview. Access data table for Figure 2 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db315_table.pdf#2.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 315 ■ July 2018

■  3  ■

The percentage of women who were currently seeking to adopt a child 

was higher among women aged 25–34 and 35–44 compared with women 

aged 18–24, and was higher among women with current fertility problems 

compared with women without fertility problems.

● Women aged 35–44 (1.5%) were more likely to be currently seeking to adopt, followed by 

women aged 25–34 (1.4%) and women aged 18–24 (0.6%) in 2011–2015 (Figure 3).

● The observed differences in the percentages of women currently seeking to adopt by 

Hispanic origin and race were not significant.

● Among women aged 18–44, those with current fertility problems (3.3%) were 

approximately four times as likely to be currently seeking to adopt a child as women 

without current fertility problems (0.9%).

● The observed decrease in the percentage of women who were currently seeking to adopt by 

increasing number of previous live births was not significant.

Figure 3. Percentage of women aged 18–44 who were currently seeking to adopt a child, by selected characteristics: 

United States, 2011–2015

 

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Percent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES: Currently seeking to adopt includes women who were seeking to adopt a nonbiological child living with them or another nonbiological child not living with 

them. Age, fertility problems, and number of previous live births were measured at the time of interview. Access data table for Figure 3 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db315_table.pdf#3.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2015.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 315 ■ July 2018

■  4  ■

The percentage of women aged 18–44 who had ever adopted a child varied 

by age group and by race and Hispanic origin.

● The percentage of women who had ever adopted a child increased with increasing age 

(0.1%, aged 18–24; 0.5%, aged 25–34; 1.3%, aged 35–44) (Figure 4).

● Compared with Hispanic women (0.2%), higher percentages of non-Hispanic white women 

(0.6%) and non-Hispanic black women (1.1%) aged 18–44 had ever adopted.

● The observed difference in the percentage of women who had ever adopted a child between 

those with current fertility problems (1.6%) and those without (0.6%) was not significant.

● Among women aged 18–44, the percentage who had ever adopted a child was similar 

according to number of live births.

Figure 4. Percentage of women aged 18–44 who had ever adopted a child, by selected characteristics: United States, 

2011–2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES: Ever adopted includes women who ever adopted a child, regardless of prior relationship to that child. The adopted child could be a child of her spouse or 

partner or a child of another relative. Age, fertility problems, and number of previous live births were measured at the time of interview. Access data table for 

Figure 4 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db315_table.pdf#4.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2015.

0 0.5 1 1.5 2

Percent

18–24

25–34

35–44

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic white

Non-Hispanic black

Yes

No

One

None

Two or more

Age group

Hispanic origin and race

Number of previous live births

Fertility problems
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 315 ■ July 2018

■  5  ■

Summary

The adoption-related behaviors described in this report varied by selected background 

characteristics such as age, Hispanic origin and race, current fertility problems, and number of 

births. In 2011–2015, nearly 38% of women aged 18–44 had ever considered adopting a child. 

Compared with women without fertility problems, women with current fertility problems were 

more likely to have ever considered adopting, which is consistent with previous findings that 

women with infertility or impaired fecundity and those who have used infertility services are 

more likely to have considered adoption than those without fertility problems and who did not 

use fertility services (5). This report shows that women aged 25–34 and 35–44 and women 

with current fertility problems were more likely than women aged 18–24 and women without 

fertility problems to be currently seeking to adopt a child. Less than 1% of U.S. women aged 

18–44 in 2011–2015 had ever adopted a child. The percentage of women who had ever adopted 

a child increased with increasing age. Higher percentages of non-Hispanic black women and 

non-Hispanic white women compared with Hispanic women had ever adopted a child. The 

ability to detect significant differences within groups among those currently seeking adoption and 

ever adopting is limited by the relatively small numbers of women reporting these behaviors in 

the 2011–2015 NSFG. However, these estimates are the only nationally representative data on 

adoption-related behaviors among U.S. women aged 15–44 currently available.

Definitions

Age: Respondent’s age at the time of interview. The recode variable used was AGER.

Hispanic origin and race: The Office of Management and Budget’s 1997 guidelines for the 

presentation of race and origin data in federal statistics were used for the classifications in this 

report (8). The guidelines allowing respondents to report more than one racial or ethnic origin 

are reflected in the NSFG recode variable HISPRACE2. For this report, the categories shown 

separately are Hispanic; non-Hispanic white, single race; and non-Hispanic black, single race. 

Non-Hispanic other respondents were included in overall estimates but are not shown separately 

in figures due to the diversity of this group. Non-Hispanic white, single race is referred to as 

non-Hispanic white; and non-Hispanic black, single race is referred to as non-Hispanic black.

Ever considered adopting a child: Includes women who responded “yes” to a directly asked 

question about ever considering adoption, but it also includes women who indirectly reported 

ever considering adoption. These other women reported they were currently seeking to adopt a 

child, possibly a particular child they already knew, or they had already adopted a child.

Currently seeking to adopt: Includes women who were currently seeking to adopt a nonbiological 

child who was living with them or another nonbiological child not living with them.

Ever adopted: Includes women who ever adopted a child, regardless of prior relationship to that 

child. The adopted child could be a child of her spouse or partner or a child of another relative.

Current fertility problems: Respondents who were either infertile or had impaired fecundity at the 

time of interview were combined to create a dichotomous variable for current fertility problems, 

based on the NSFG recodes INFERT and FECUND (9). Infertility, defined only for respondents 

who are currently married or cohabiting, indicates 12 or more months of sexual intercourse 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 315 ■ July 2018

■  6  ■

without contraception and without pregnancy. Impaired fecundity, defined for women regardless 

of marital or cohabiting status, reflects a woman’s physical ability to get pregnant or carry a baby 

to term.

Data source and methods

NSFG is a nationally representative survey of the U.S. household population, with in-person 

interviews conducted with men and women aged 15–44. More information about NSFG can be 

accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg.htm. The descriptive findings shown in this report 

are based on data from the combined 4-year NSFG data file for 2011–2015. Questions about 

previous and current plans to adopt were only asked of adult women aged 18–44. Given the age 

restriction of the data items used, estimates for this report are limited to women aged 18–44 and 

weighted to represent the U.S. household at the midpoint of 2011–2015 interviewing (July 2013). 

Statistics for this report, including sampling errors, were produced using the SURVEY analysis 

procedures in SAS software version 9.4. Percentages were compared using two-tailed t tests at the 

5% level to determine statistical significance. Linear regression modeling was used to determine 

the significance of linear trends.

Data presented in this report are bivariate associations, and differences by these characteristics 

may be explained by other factors included and not included in this report.

About the authors

Chinagozi Ugwu and Colleen Nugent are with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division 

of Vital Statistics, Reproductive Statistics Branch.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 315 ■ July 2018

■  7  ■

References

1. Ishizawa H, Kubo K. Factors affecting adoption decisions: Child and parental characteristics. 

J Fam Issues 35(5):627–53. 2014.

2. Vandivere S, Malm K, Radel L. Adoption USA: A chartbook based on the 2007 National 

Survey of Adoptive Parents. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 

Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. 2009.

3. Bachrach CA. Adoption as a means of family formation: Data from the National Survey of 

Family Growth. J Marriage Fam 45(4):859–65. 1983.

4. Bachrach CA, Adams PF, Sambrano S, London KA. Adoption in the 1980s. Advance Data 

From Vital and Health Statistics; no. 181. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 

1989.

5. Chandra A, Abma J, Maza P, Bachrach C. Adoption, adoption seeking, and relinquishment 

for adoption in the United States. Advance Data From Vital and Health Statistics; no. 306. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 1999.

6. Jones J. Adoption experiences of women and men and demand for children to adopt by 

women 18–44 years of age in the United States, 2002. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital 

Health Stat 23(27). 2008.

7. National Center for Health Statistics. Key statistics from the National Survey of the Family 

Growth. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/key_statistics/a.htm#adoption.

8. Office of Management and Budget. Revisions to the standards for the classification of 

federal data on race and ethnicity. Fed Regist 62(210). 58782–90. 1997. Available from: 

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1997-10-30/pdf/97-28653.pdf.

9. Stephen EH, Chandra A. Use of infertility services in the United States: 1995. Fam Plann 

Perspect 32(2):132–7. 2000.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 315 ■ July 2018

Suggested citation

Ugwu C, Nugent C. Adoption-related 

behaviors among women aged 18–44 in 

the United States: 2011–2015. NCHS Data 

Brief, no 315. Hyattsville, MD: National 

Center for Health Statistics. 2018.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Vital Statistics

Delton Atkinson, M.P.H., M.P.H., P.M.P., 

Director

Hanyu Ni, Ph.D., M.P.H., Associate Director 

for Science

For e-mail updates on NCHS publication 

releases, subscribe online at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/govdelivery.htm.

For questions or general information 

about NCHS: 

Tel: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)

TTY: 1–888–232–6348

Internet: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs 

Online request form: https://www.cdc.gov/info

ISSN 1941–4927 Print ed. 

ISSN 1941–4935 Online ed. 

DHHS Publication No. 2018–1209 

CS294372

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Health Statistics 

3311 Toledo Road, Room 4551, MS P08

Hyattsville, MD 20782–2064

OFFICIAL BUSINESS 

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

For more NCHS Data Briefs, visit: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs.htm.

FIRST CLASS MAIL 

POSTAGE & FEES PAID 

CDC/NCHS

PERMIT NO. G-284