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Reduced immigration slowed population growth for the nation and most states, new census data show

Brookings | 2026-02-22 | society

Topics: United States

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English Summary

New Census Bureau data shows that U.S. population growth slowed to 0.52% in 2024-25, a drop primarily attributed to a 50% decline in net international migration. While immigration fell to 1.3 million people, it still accounted for 71% of total national growth as natural increase remains historically low. Nearly every state experienced slower growth or population losses, including major hubs like California, which flipped to a decline as immigration could no longer offset domestic out-migration. These findings imply that further immigration cuts will likely result in widespread population contraction and significant long-term challenges for labor force productivity.

中文摘要

美國人口普查局的最新數據顯示,2024至2025年間美國人口增長率放緩至 0.52%,此一降幅主要歸因於國際淨遷移人數驟減 50%。儘管移民人數降至 130 萬人,但在自然增長持續處於歷史低點的情況下,移民仍佔全國人口總增長的 71%。幾乎所有州都面臨增長放緩或人口流失,包括加利福尼亞州等主要樞紐,因移民增長已不足以抵銷國內遷出,導致人口轉為負增長。這些調查結果顯示,進一步削減移民規模可能會導致廣泛的人口收縮,並為勞動力生產力帶來顯著的長期挑戰。

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