The Covid-19 pandemic drives US population growth to a record low
The US population is growing at the slowest rate on record this year, according to Census Bureau figures released Tuesday showing the extent of the pandemic. changing demographic profile of the country.
The United States added just 393,000 people in the year ended July 1, including 148,000 more births than deaths, a surplus that has long provided much of the nation’s growth. . The other component – which measures movement to and from abroad – increased 245,000. According to the office, this is the first year that growth from births exceeding deaths has fallen below actual arrivals from abroad.
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The new estimates provide a summary of the pandemic’s outbreak after its first year. Population growth had slowed before the pandemic, but it has averaged more than 2 million people a year over the past decade. As of 2016, the country has increased by 2.3 million people.
The birth rate has been falling steadily since the 2007-09 recession. Mortality rates have risen, especially in states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic. And immigration has fallen in recent years under policies introduced by former President Trump.
17 states lost their population, led by New York (-1.6%), Illinois (-0.9%), and Hawaii (-0.7%). California, which recorded only its second drop after first mining last year, also fell 0.7 percent. The population of the District of Columbia decreased by 2.9%.
More broadly, the Midwest lost 0.1% and the Northeast lost 0.6%. The West is basically flat while the South is up 0.6%. Texas, the largest southern state, rose 1.1%. The states with the most growth include Idaho (2.9%), Utah (1.7%), and Montana (1.7%).
The estimates themselves, also affected by the pandemic, have been delayed detailed 2020 census data on which the usual estimates will be based. Instead, the office used limited 2020 census totals and other sources, such as birth and death certificates. The office is required to publish annual estimates to assist state and local governments in budgeting and aid distribution. The estimates also underpin morbidity and mortality rates.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Omicron variant caused more than 70% of new coronavirus cases in the US in the week ending December 18. This increase comes as the holiday season approaches and some people reconsider travel plans. Photo: Jeenah Moon / Bloomberg
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https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic-drives-u-s-population-growth-to-record-low-11640098763?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f The Covid-19 pandemic drives US population growth to a record low
