In the first demographic study, the authors say that Americans are more racially and ethnically diverse than in the past, and the diversity will grow in coming decades. Nearly 59 million immigrants have arrived in the U.S. over the past 50 years. Today 14% of America’s population is foreign born (compared to 5% in 1965). More Americans beleive immigrants strengthen the country rather than burden it — the diversity makes the U.S. a better place to live.
The largest influx of immigrants comes from Asia: Yes, Asia is replacing Latin America (including Mexico) the biggest source of new immigrants to the United States. And African immigrant numbers are also growing steadily — roughly doubling every decade since 1970, the study says.
In a reversal of one of the largest mass migrations in modern history, net migration flows from Mexico to the U.S. turned negative between 2009 and 2014, as more Mexicans went home than arrived in the U.S. And after rising steadily since 1990, the unauthorized immigrant population has leveled off in recent years, falling to 11.3 million in 2014 from a high of 12.2 million in 2007. Meanwhile, Asians are now the only major racial or ethnic group whose numbers are rising mainly because of immigration.
We will see more diverse 2016 Elections: The study reports the 2016 electorate will be the most diverse in U.S. history due to strong growth among Hispanic eligible voters, particularly U.S.-born youth. The country’s demographic changes are shifting the electorate – and this will effect November’s 2016 elections. Hispanic eligible voters and Millennials who hold liberal (many politically independent) views will be going to the polls.
The Millennials are a grand influence: American Millennials, born after 1980, have likely surpassed Baby Boomers who were born between1946 and 1964 — as the largest U.S. generation. And the generations are significantly different. Millennials are the most racially diverse generation in American history: 43% of Millennial adults are non-white, the highest share of any generation. The study adds while they are on track to be the most educated generation to date, this achievement has come at a cost:
Many Millennials are struggling with student debt. In addition to the weak labor market of recent years, student debt is perhaps one reason why many are still living at home. Despite these troubles, Millennials are the most upbeat about their financial future: More than eight-in-ten say they either currently have enough money to lead the lives they want or expect to in the future.
Good news and bad news about women in the work force: The good news is women’s leadership positions have grown dramatically. The bad news: In some areas — not enough.
The labor force participation rate for American women has risen steadily since the 1960s. In fact, mothers were the sole or primary breadwinner in a record 40% of all households with children in 2011. The gender pay gap has narrowed over this period of time, especially for young women just entering the labor force, but it still persists. As more women have entered the workforce, the share of women in top leadership jobs has risen, but they still make up a small share of the nation’s political and business leaders relative to men. Why the continued disparity?
Religion, Christians, and non-Believers drastically changing: Some may be surprised to find the number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized religion has grown and Christians are declining as a share of the U.S. population. The percentage of Americans identifying as Christian dropped to 71% in 2014 and 23% of U.S. adults now identify as religiously unaffiliated. This trend has been driven in large part by Millennials, 35% of whom are religious “nones.” The unaffiliated are now the second-largest religious group in 48% of the world’s nations. Americans see this and 72% say religion’s influence on public life is waning, and most who say this see it as a bad thing.
The study is extensive and fascinating complete with charts and data. To read the full report, visit: PewResearch.org.
“We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” — former U.S. president Jimmy Carter