2042 Whites New Minority in the U.S.A.

WASHINGTON- In the course of a generation in the United States, whites will be the new minority. In fact, according to data circulated today by the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2042 the majority of the population will be comprised mainly of Hispanics and Asians. This projection anticipates by eight years that drafted in 2004, which foresaw the overtaking of the current minorities in 2050.

Immigration.

The phenomenon depends on the increase in inflow of foreigners, which if today is at 1.3 million, by the middle of the century will rise to two million per year, according to what the New York Times reported. But not only this: the increase in the flow will be added to the high birthrate of migrants, especially of Hispanics. By 2050 the USA population will increase from the current 305 million inhabitants to 439. If today Whites make up 66% of the population, they are only 55% in the age bracket from 0 to five years old. Starting from 2030, for the first time, the White population will begin to decrease. And in 2050 the overtaking will be clear: Whites will be 46%. The phenomenon will be gradual: by 2023 the so-called minorities will constitute the majority of the population under eighteen years old and by 2039 that of the Americans of working age. “No other country has been able to experience such a rapid ethnic and racial change,” underlined the researcher Mark Mather interviewed by the New York newspaper.

Hispanics and Asians.

The real boom will be that of the Hispanics, who will almost triple in number. Today they are the largest minority group in the United States, but if currently they are 46.7 million, they will grow to 132.8 million. That means that almost one inhabitant for every three in the States will be of Hispanic origin. The Asians follow, who from 15.5 million will become 40.6 million people. The African Americans, who today are 15%, will remain stable, increasing by very little with respect to 2008.

The possible consequences. The phenomenon is without precedents. Also because most probably these figures circulated by the U.S. Census Bureau will provoke a political debate on immigration, over-population and the change in the electorate. William H. Frey, interviewed by the NYT, explains that according to a study of the Brookings Institution for the presidential elections of 2008 the minorities will constitute for the first time the majority of the adults between 18 and 29. Furthermore, as in all the European countries, even the U.S. giant will find itself to have to come to terms with an aging population. Already in 2030, almost one citizen for every five will be over sixty-five.