Official U.S. government legislative records

Nine Million Immigrants Since 2020 Boost U.S. Population Growth to 1.2% Annually, Says CBO

Sep 4, 2024, 01:23 PM

Since the end of 2020, more than nine million people have migrated to the U.S., according to estimates and projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This figure is nearly as many as the number that arrived in the previous decade. The influx of immigrants has lifted U.S. population growth to almost 1.2% per year, the highest rate since the early 1990s. Without this immigration, the U.S. population would be growing at just 0.2% annually due to declining birthrates and would begin shrinking around 2040. The rise in immigration is also seen as contributing to strong U.S. employment growth in recent years, despite high interest rates. However, the increase in immigration has also led to shifts in the labor force, similar to changes seen in the late 1960s and 70s when more women entered the workforce. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the composition of immigrants, with a significant portion entering the country illegally. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has highlighted these trends, noting the impact on the unemployment rate.