More than 3,000 Chinese mainland children were adopted by overseas parents in 2012, according to figures from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Citing adoption registration statistics, the ministry said on February 20 that a total of 24,635 Chinese mainland children were adopted in 2012.

Of the adoptees, 87 percent were adopted by people on the mainland, while the remaining 3,311 children were adopted by Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan residents, Chinese nationals living in foreign countries or foreigners.

The ministry added that around 74 percent of children adopted by overseas parents in 2012 were disabled or older children.