America sees slowest population growth in decades, Brookings demographer warns

The United States is currently on track to witness the slowest population growth in its history if the current growth pace persists through the 2020s, as highlighted by William Frey, a well-known demographer at Brookings Institution.

Frey emphasized that if the present trend continues, the 2020s will surpass the 1930s, which marked the slowest-growing decade due to the aftermath of the Great Depression, as the nation's period of most sluggish population expansion.

A look at some key figures 

According to projections released by the U.S. Census Bureau, on New Year's Day, the U.S. population is estimated to be nearly 336 million, reflecting a marginal increase of nearly 2 million individuals, equating to a growth rate of 0.53% over the past year.

This growth rate is notably lower than the global average. The Census Bureau forecasts that the world population will surpass 8 billion on New Year's Day, marking an increase of 75 million from the previous year and a growth rate of 0.95%.

Offering a closer perspective, the projections indicate that globally, there will be an estimated 4.3 births and 2.0 deaths every second in January. In the U.S. during the same period, a birth is expected approximately every 9.0 seconds, contrasted with a death occurring every 9.5 seconds.

What about impact of immigration?

The report also sheds light on the impact of net migration on U.S. population growth, stating that migration from other countries is projected to contribute to an increase of one person every 28.3 seconds.

When combining births, deaths, and migration, the result is a growth of one person in the U.S. approximately every 24.2 seconds.

The revelation of America's sluggish population growth raises concerns about various aspects, including economic implications, workforce dynamics, and social structures. Frey's comparison to the 1930s underscores the significance of this development, as it reflects a trend not witnessed in the country for nearly a century.