U.S. Population Growth is Slowing

U.S. population growth is slowing, with new Congressional Budget Office projections estimating 7 million fewer people over the next decade than previously forecast. The shift reflects a combination of reduced immigration and declining birth rates, both of which have important public health implications.

By 2030, annual deaths are expected to exceed births, meaning immigration will play an increasingly central role in sustaining population size and workforce capacity. Immigration also influences population health trends, as foreign-born women tend to have higher birth rates on average. Analysts note that small changes in migration or fertility patterns could significantly affect long-term planning for health systems, services, and community infrastructure. Read the article from NPR here.