US Population Growth Stopped After the Pandemic

Population Growth Rate 0.1%... Lowest Since the Founding of the Nation

In Yuma, Arizona, USA, bordering Mexico, Central American immigrants who crossed the Colorado River on the 6th (local time) are camping and sleeping outdoors behind a 30-foot (approximately 9m) high border wall.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States' population growth rate over the past year has slowed to 0.1%, marking the lowest level since the founding of the country.

On the 21st (local time), the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the U.S. population increased by 392,665 from July last year to July this year. This figure being under one million is the first time since 1937. In terms of growth rate, 0.1% is the lowest since the nation's founding.

Of the total 392,665 increase, 244,622 were from overseas immigration, and natural increase (number of births minus number of deaths) accounted for 148,043. This is the first time that overseas immigration has surpassed natural increase.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) explained, "Although the number of entrants attempting to cross the border illegally near the Mexico border reached an all-time high, most were returned to their home countries, and legal immigration procedures such as visa issuance were delayed, leading to a decrease in overseas immigration," adding, "The population increase from overseas immigration is half of last year's level."

By state, the population decreased in 17 states. Washington DC had the highest population decline rate at 2.9%, followed by New York (-1.6%), Illinois (-0.9%), and Hawaii (-0.7%). On the other hand, Idaho (2.9%) had the highest population growth rate during this period, followed by Utah (1.7%) and Montana (1.7%).

The Census Bureau stated, "Over the past 10 years, the U.S. population growth rate has been delayed due to declining birth rates, reduced overseas immigration, and increased mortality due to aging. The pandemic further fueled this, resulting in the lowest record in history."

Experts have offered different analyses regarding the sluggish population growth rate. William Frey, Senior Researcher at the Brookings Institution, said, "Once the pandemic is overcome, the number of deaths will decrease, but the population growth rate will not return to past levels."

On the other hand, Kennedy Johnson, Professor at the University of New Hampshire, said, "The reduction in natural increase is not only due to COVID-19," adding, "Even before the pandemic, the U.S. was setting record low birth rates every year and experiencing a steady increase in deaths due to aging."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.