US population growth has slowed

ArmInfo. The US population growth slowed this year due to a sharp decline in immigration into the country, Bloomberg reports, citing the Census Bureau.

"Given relatively stable birth and death rates, the large decline in net international migration into the country is the main reason for the slower growth we're seeing today," said Census Bureau official Christine Hartley.

According to the agency, the US population reached 342 million in the year ending July 1, 2025. It grew by 1.8 million, a 0.5 percentage point increase, representing the lowest rate since 2021. Meanwhile, net international migration during this period—the difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants (those leaving the US)—was 1.3 million. In the previous year, it was 2.7 million, and this figure is expected to decline to 321,000 in the future.

The slowdown in population growth in the US is observed across the country. Population declines occurred in California, Hawaii, and New Mexico. South Carolina experienced the fastest population growth, driven by internal migration, followed by Idaho and North Carolina.

Bloomberg notes that immigrants accounted for a significant portion of the US labor force growth following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, under the administration of US President Donald Trump, illegal border crossings have almost ceased. Furthermore, authorities have restricted legal immigration and stepped up deportations of undocumented immigrants. More people are also leaving the US.