Orphan Statistics and Adoptive Candidate Trends in Ukraine for 2025
By the close of 2025, Ukraine recorded 59,350 children classified as orphans or those deprived of parental care—a 4% decrease from 2024. Of these, one-third (20,705 children) are full orphans who have lost both parents. The number of prospective adoptive parents fell by 13% in 2025, leaving the country with a total of 2,097 candidates. This decline highlights ongoing challenges in Ukraine's adoption and foster care system, which has been affected by the war and demographic shifts.
Among the adoption candidates:
- 77% are married couples, accounting for 1,619 individuals;
- 479 single citizens have expressed interest in taking a child into care;
- Nearly half of all candidates are between 40 and 50 years old;
- 41% are under 40;
- 10% are over 50.
The highest concentrations of candidates reside in:
- Kyiv (244);
- Kyiv Oblast (224);
- Lviv Oblast (191);
- Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (182).
Adoption Figures and Legislative Changes
In 2025, 1,150 children were adopted—a 10% decrease compared to 2024, which saw a record high of 1,273 adoptions. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast led in adoptions for the third consecutive year, with 136 children placed. Kyiv Oblast adopted 122 children, and Odesa Oblast followed with 101. Notably, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast also has the highest number of orphans and children without parental care, totaling 7,397.
During 2025, 6,627 children were placed into new families under guardianship or custody arrangements, though this number fell by 7% from 2024. The government introduced a policy allowing pre-adoption guardianship, and the Verkhovna Rada passed a bill barring individuals accused of treason or collaboration from becoming adoptive parents.
This data underscores persistent difficulties in Ukraine's care and adoption landscape, particularly the shrinking pool of adoptive candidates and the declining number of children finding new families.
The declining adoption rates in Ukraine may be influenced by broader demographic trends affecting the population. According to a recent UN report on demographic shifts, projections indicate significant changes in the country's population structure, which could have long-term implications for child welfare and adoption practices. Understanding these trends is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by orphans and potential adoptive families.