More Immigration Needed to Offset COVID-19 and America’s Demographic Decline

In the U.S., COVID-19 has accelerated three demographic trends contributing to declining population growth: a falling birth rate, a rising total number of deaths, and a sharp decline in net migration. In “More Immigration Needed to Offset COVID-19 and America’s Demographic Decline,” published by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, author Daniel Griswold analyzes these demographic trends and warns of their long-term impacts. All of these factors, working together, will have a negative impact on the country’s economic prosperity, pace of innovation, ability to fund vital public services, and standing as a global leader. For the U.S. to offset the effects of its declining population, the author concludes, the most viable tool will be greatly decreasing barriers to international migration. Citing data from the Census Bureau, Griswold underscores that immigrants are more likely to be of working age and to join the labor force than their U.S.-born counterparts. Immigrant workers are also more likely to file patents and start businesses, activities that stimulate economic growth, boost productivity and increase wages. Additionally, immigrants have higher birth rates on average than the U.S.-born population. Griswold concludes that, by adopting a more open immigration system, policymakers can reverse the current trajectory of demographic decline, grow the economy, ensure fiscal sustainability and maintain the U.S. standing as a global leader. (Kyla Schmitt for The Immigrant Learning Center’s Public Education Institute)

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