US Population Growth Rate Falls Amid Reduced Immigration

Mon Feb 02 2026 22:13:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant shift, the US population growth rate slows to 0.5% in 2025, primarily due to Donald Trump's immigration policies. This marks a stark contrast to the previous year's surge in immigration that fueled a nearly 1% growth.

Recent estimates from the US Census Bureau reveal that the country's population increased to 341.8 million by July 2025, with a growth rate of only 0.5%. This decline can be attributed largely to reduced immigration following stricter policies introduced by President Trump, contributing to a year-on-year decrease from a growth rate of 0.9% in 2024. As the government navigates changes in immigration policy, experts emphasize the broader implications for population dynamics and federal resource allocation.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The US Census Bureau reported a decrease in the national growth rate, indicating a growth of only 0.5% for 2025, down from nearly 1% the previous year. This shift has coincided with stricter immigration policies enacted during the Trump administration. The latest figure brings the total US population to approximately 341.8 million.

The decline in population growth is significant, especially considering that immigration had previously contributed to a net increase of 1.3 million people in 2025, compared to an increase of 2.8 million in 2024. The government did not differentiate between legal and illegal immigration in the data.

Historically, the United States faced its lowest growth rates during periods such as the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, which saw a minuscule increase of just 0.16%. Population growth prior to this had similarly trended downward, raising concerns about the country’s demographic vitality.

The latest figures highlight the stark contrast in immigration trends following the enforcement of stricter measures, as evidenced by a much smaller contribution of net international migration to the total population increase. The census data provides insight during a politically charged climate affected by ongoing debates over immigration and census accuracy.

As the country continues to navigate these demographic changes, experts have pointed out the potential ramifications on various sectors, including economic stability and governmental resource distribution. Findings like these stress the importance of immigration policies on overall population trends and the future of the US economy.

American demographers and researchers are urging for a closer examination of these trends, especially as they might influence long-term planning and resource allocation across different states.