In 2025, 725 children lived in substitute and family homes in Estonia. In 2024, there were 714. Many children were over 12 years old.
149 children grew up in foster families. In 2025, 36 children went to foster families. In 2024, 47 children went. Most were under 5 years old. 16 girls and 20 boys went to foster families.
In 2025, 27 children were adopted. The children went to different families. There were 17 new adoption applications. In 2024, there were 23.
There were 30 people who wanted to become foster families. In 2024, there were 37. 9 foster families and 41 adoptive families were waiting for children. The average age of adopted children was 3 years. 8 children were under 1 year old. The oldest was 17 years old.
There were 16 children in crisis foster families. The average age was 2 years. The oldest was 10 years old, the youngest a few weeks old. Estonia needs more crisis foster families. Currently, there are only 5.
Most people who wanted to become foster families were born in the 1980s. The oldest applicant was born in 1965. Most families want small children. Every child is different and needs attention.
In 2026, SKA will conduct a study. It will help understand why people do not want to become foster or adoptive families. The study will show how people feel about substitute care.