Plain English with Derek Thompson

Why U.S. Population Growth Crashed to a Record Low

Apr 5, 2022
Matthew Yglesias, author of the Slow Boring newsletter and 'One Billion Americans,' dives into the alarming drop in U.S. population growth. He discusses how the pandemic has led to higher death rates, lower birth rates, and decreased immigration. Yglesias argues for the benefits of a growing population, not only for America but also for global well-being. He explores political failures in addressing family policies and immigration, while advocating for optimistic approaches to foster growth and balance environmental concerns.
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INSIGHT

Historic Population Slump

  • U.S. population growth is at a historic low, slower than any time in the past 245 years.
  • Declining births, rising deaths, and plummeting immigration contribute to this.
INSIGHT

Declining Birth Rates

  • Birth rates have declined for over two decades, despite people's desire for more children.
  • Childcare costs are a major factor, with Americans perceiving them as increasingly burdensome.
INSIGHT

High Cost of Childcare

  • The U.S. offers less financial support for families than almost any other developed country, raising the actual cost of having kids.
  • The gap between desired and actual family size continues to grow, as childcare costs are the main driver of why people don't have as many kids as they want.
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