Whites Will Comprise Less Than Half of Population by 2042
By the DiversityInc staff
August 15, 2008
Keywords: Census Bureau, immigration, cultural diversity statistics, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, 2050 workforce, immigration, birth rates
In 2050, what will the U.S. population look like? According to new data from the Census Bureau, 30 percent of it will be Latino, 15 percent will be Black and 9 percent will be Asian.
The new calculations shatter predictions from four years ago that estimated the population of Americans self-identifying as Black, Latino, Asian, American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander would top non-Latino whites in 2050. Demographers are now saying that could happen as much as eight years sooner.
"No other country has experienced such rapid racial and ethnic change," Mark Mather, a demographer with Washington, D.C.-based research organization Population Reference Bureau, told The New York Times.
For the first time, both the number and the proportion of non-Latino whites, who currently account for 66 percent of the population, will start to decline, accounting for 46 percent by 2050.
"A momentum is built into this as a result of past immigration," Jeffrey S. Passel, senior demographer at the Pew Hispanic Center, told the Times. "In the 1970s, '80s and '90s, there were more Hispanic immigrants than births. This decade, there are more births than immigrants. Almost regardless of what you assume about future immigration, the country will be more Hispanic and Asian."
This isn't the first time demographers underestimated population numbers. Ten years ago, census demographers predicted the nation's population would not top 400 million until sometime after the middle of the century. Now, demographers say the U.S. population, which surpassed 300 million in 2006, will hit 400 million in 2039 and grow another 10 million by 2050.
According to The Washington Post, white non-Latinos make up about two-thirds of the population, but only 55 percent of those are younger than 5 years old.
"What's happening now in terms of increasing diversity probably is unprecedented," Campbell Gibson, a retired census demographer, told the Times.
Click here to read more from The Washington Post.
Readers' Comments
Posted: Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Whites Will Comprise Less Than Half of Population by 2042
It is crucial that people of color are engaged in environmental issues for many reasons. This exciting "shift" in population makes it even more necessary if we want the environmental/conservation/green movement to hold any ground for our future generations. An opportunity to to bring in a major infusion of new supporters will change the environmental movement from exlusive (bad bad problem) to inclusive...let's get to work!
Christine Hannen
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Posted: Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008
Whites Will Comprise Less Than Half of Population by 2042
American businesses will need to come to grips with the fact the diversity is an asset ... And that it affects the bottom line.
fred pollard
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Posted: Monday, Aug 25, 2008
Whites Will Comprise Less Than Half of Population by 2042
I agree with the Latina woman. Many Latinos think that race does not matter yet everyone tries to jump on the "white" bandwagon because there are more benefits to be gained. The fact that the Latinos did not support Obama is a case in point. Many would rather be under the "white" thumb than any other. It's all self-hatred and wanting to align themselves with the dominant culture. Not only the Latinos but many people who have light skin on their side will quickly jump over to the dominant side. In many Latin countries who are the ones floundering and given a raw deal at the bottom of the ladder, the native people and Blacks.
Elsamay Watson
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Posted: Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008
Whites Will Comprise Less Than Half of Population by 2042
In certain states this is already the case, in fact, "Whites" are a minority when one factor in the total of other minorities. Given this information, providing minorities, with entitlement services such as Affirmative Action should be re-evaluated. The word "minority" will no longer apply; as They will represent the majority receiving entitlements whose only criteria is color of skin not need. Thank you and have a great day.
maria milillo
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Posted: Monday, Aug 18, 2008
Whites Will Comprise Less Than Half of Population by 2042
I do agree that the ethnic makeup of the United States will change. We are seeing that now with immigration from various countries. But, one thing not mentioned in the article is that, not only does the ethnic/racial makeup change, but how people are seen and identified also changes. I hate to point it out. But seeing how this is diversity magazine I must point out the racial makeup of so-called Latinos. I'm am a Latina of African, Indian, and European descent. It seems like Latinos are avoiding the elephant in the room which is race, just so that "we" or as I see it, some can get ahead. This country will be no different, if not worse if this issue is not addressed. Many Latin American countries are severely lagging behind when it comes to equality and civil rights. The Irish and Italians not too long ago also weren't considered white. I think the defenition of white will also change. So quite possibly the "white" population will grow. Not to mention Black Latinos are the only immigrant Black group that is not included in the Black category on the census. Therefor this projection of the racial makeup of the U.S. cannot be that accurate.
Mariposa Sedosa
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