Immigration is saving the US from an aging crisis

By Gwynn Guilford, Quartz

Old people are taking over—and not just in well-known grey zones like Japan and South Korea. By 2050, one in every three or so Spaniards, Italians and Germans will be 65 and older (pdf, p.6), according to Pew Research Center. 

But relax, Americans. Though by 2050, 20% of you will be age 65 and older—a big jump from the current 13.1%—the US will be in better shape than many countries, according to Pew data. Not only is the US country aging much less rapidly than those countries; its population is also growing. In fact, by 2050, the US population will be nearly 30% bigger, says Pew. That combination will help keep the engine of the US economy churning long after other major economies start sputtering.

What’s the US’s secret weapon? The same thing it has always been: immigration.

Immigrants tend to have more children than non-immigrant women, which keeps the country’s population relatively young.

Click HERE to read the full story.

[Photo by Woody H1]

Subscribe today!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Must Read