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To put it bluntly, it seems to depend on the "type" of child.
If you are able to parent a child of a different nationality than you are - for instance, a child who was born in Ethiopia or Colombia and who still lives there - then there are more children than parents.
If you are able to parent a child of a different race than you are but who was born in the USA - for example, a full AA or Asian child - then the numbers are closer but in many places there are still more children than parents.
If you are able to parent a child with significant special needs - for example, a child who has been exposed to drugs and alcohol in utero - then there are more children than parents.
If you are able to parent a child who you may not get to keep - for example, a child currently in foster care whose parents may or may not get their act together in time to take their child back - then there are more children than parents.
Etc.
For the MOST part, parents who choose to adopt choose situations where the child will be as similar to one born to them as possible - same race, same health, same citizenship, same immediate "permanency", youngest age. So the more differences you can accept, the fewer other parents there will be seeking that same type of child. That's not speaking for EVERYONE of course, you'll almost never be the *only* person seeking to adopt a particular type of child, I'm speaking in generalities here.
There are definately types of children you could seek to adopt who are simply waiting.
However, you may choose to think about this another way. Nowadays many birth families get to CHOOSE the type of family that will raise the child. They can CHOOSE to place their child with an infertile couple if that's what they want. But there are going to be birth families who want their child raised in a different type of family. There may even be birth families who already know they want their child raised as the youngest in a large family. Perhaps that's what the birth parents themselves grew up with. Perhaps they don't want their child to be the oldest, or the only child. Perhaps they want parents who have already parented children - you know some people think that's the best way to get experience in raising kids, and they'd feel best if their child were placed with an experienced family.
Who knows?
It's a personal decision, of course. Deciding that you're one "different" type of option for a birth family. Or choosing to adopt the type of child who may either wait longer for a family or who may not get one at all. Or being willing to be a "temporary" family for a child you may get to keep for a while OR for forever, you just don't know which one at the time you first hold the child.
There are lots of options, but I've rambled enough. Please keep posting! There are lots of people here who have chosen each way for a variety of reasons, and they'd be happy to talk about their choices.
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