US Population Set to Shrink by 2031: Falling Births and Harsh Immigration Rules Shake Up Economy

US Population Set to Shrink by 2031: Falling Births and Harsh Immigration Rules Shake Up Economy

September 21, 2025

The US population is heading towards a big change! New forecasts say that by 2031, deaths in America will be more than births – two years earlier than experts thought before. This means population growth will almost stop, and that’s a big deal for the country’s future. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revealed this news in September 2025. They say the main reasons are fewer babies being born and tougher immigration rules from the Trump administration. The special bill called One Big Beautiful Bill Act has made immigration tighter, cutting down the number of newcomers. From 2026 to 2029, about 290,000 immigrants might be forced to leave the US under this new law. Plus, another 30,000 are expected to leave on their own. Immigrant families usually have more children, so fewer immigrants mean fewer babies. Right now, the US population is about 350 million. It once seemed it would grow to 372 million by 2055. But now, it might only hit 367 million because of these changes. Even more worrying is that the number of working-age people will drop, which hurts the labor market vital for growing the economy. This shrink in workforce could make products costlier and slow down the economy. Plus, programs like Social Security and Medicare will feel the heat because more older people will need support. Jobs in farming, building, and caregiving may also face shortages. Immigration has long helped the US keep growing as birth rates fell. But now, strict immigration laws could cause even more people to leave than come in, speeding up population decline. The CBO warns that these forecasts can change with new policies or health events. For 2025, they still expect some positive immigration thanks to more lawful permanent residents. In short, lower births plus strict immigration controls mark a new chapter in US demographics. Policymakers must act fast to manage these changes and their economic effects while balancing immigration and welfare. Without smart plans, America’s population growth might stop or reverse, leading to tough challenges ahead for the nation’s economy and social system.

Read More at Economictimes

Tags: Us population decline, Immigration policies, Fertility rates, Economic impact, Labor supply, Social security,

Maitreyee Thakkar

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