Ukrainian Orphans

Some statistics that I came across. Those of you following Ukrainian adoptions will know this, but it is interesting anyway.

In a country where the average standard of living has decreased by 80% over the last 18 years, poverty and sickness are brought on by the inability to provide adequate nutrition and healthcare. Least able to fend for themselves are the children who are have been abandoned and orphaned.

90% are orphaned due to alcoholism, abandonment or imprisonment of the parent
10% are orphans because of death of parents
There are over 450 orphanages in Ukraine
There are over 100,000 children in Ukraine orphanages and an estimated 100,000 more children on the streets because the orphanages are full
10% of orphans commit suicide after leaving the orphanage before their 18th birthday
60% of the girls end up in prostitution
70% of the boys end up in crime
Only 27% are able to find work

This is from an official notice put out by the SDA in October 2008.

Analysis of the numbers of children available for inter-country adoptions according to their age and health condition (based on the information from the central data bank as of September 1, 2008)

Age of children <> Number of children (% from the total number)
Health condition : Healthy or with correctable medical issues <> Serious health problems

Under 3 years old <> 551 (2,6 %) 0 <> 551
3 – 5 years old <> 1324 (6,1 %) 109 <> 1215
6 – 11 years old <> 5408 (24,9 %) 3011 <> 2397
12 – 17 years old <> 14418 (66,4 %) 11337 <> 3081

Total 21701 (100,0 %) 14457 <> 7244

Wow! That is a lot of orphans. Wonder what the statistics are for USA.