The trend of adopting children is increasing rapidly in Saudi Arabia. According to the National Foster Care Association and Al-Widad Charity Association, more than 11,000 families have adopted orphans this year. In 2018, about 7,400 Saudi families adopted 8,438 orphans. Al-Widad Charity Association is the only organization authorized to care for orphans.

Al-Widad recently launched an advertising campaign featuring emotional stories of adoptive parents and their children. A mother who has adopted a girl said that when the girl hugs her, her heart becomes happy. The association said that its objective is to provide love and security to children and increase happiness in families.

Al-Widad helps in adoption

Al-Widad also provides social, psychological and educational support to families and children. It also provides support such as temporary housing for children and breastfeeding for foster parents. Adoption in Saudi Arabia is also considered right from the religious point of view. The importance of adopting children has been explained in Islam.

There are some reasons behind the increasing trend of adoption instead of birth in Saudi Arabia. Many families cannot bear the responsibility of elder children. Advertisement and awareness have made it acceptable and respectable in the society.

4,515 children adopted in India

If we compare India and America, the situation is different. Adoption rate is low in India due to social thinking and complex processes. People often pay attention to their own children. In the financial year 2024‑25, 4,515 children were adopted in India, which is the highest in the last 12 years. Even in America, more priority is given to having children through birth.