Foster Care Statistics

In 2006, 510,000 children were in foster care. In 2008, the number decreased to 463,000 children in foster care.
In 2006, 303,000 children entered foster care.
In 2006, 289,000 children exited foster care.

Median Age in Years of Children Entering, and Exiting Foster Care in 2006

In 2006, the median age of children in foster care was 10.2 years old.
In 2006, the median age of children entering foster care was 7.5 years old.
In 2006, the median age of children exiting foster care was 9.5 years old.

Race and Ethnicity of Children in Foster Care 2006

* In 2006 - 40% of children in foster care were White/Non-Hispanic.
* In 2006 - 32% of children in foster care were Black/Non-Hispanic.
* In 2006 - 19% of children in foster care were Hispanic.
* In 2006 - 9% of children in foster care were Other Races/Multiracial.

Read more stats here at Child Welfare Information Gateway

How many children are in foster care world-wide?

2 million.

An article “Child Protection”, published on the UNICEF website, presents an estimate of 2 million children in foster care world-wide.

Almost half of the 2 million, (800,000) is in Central and Eastern Europe or in the Commonwealth of Independent States. However, the actual number of children in foster care is thought to be significantly higher than 2 million, since this estimate is based only on data coming from registered institutions.

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