U.S. Population Growth Slows Due to Historic Decline in Net International Migration
JAN. 27, 2026 — Population growth in the United States has slowed significantly with an increase of only 1.8 million, or 0.5%, between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, according to the new Vintage 2025 population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
This was the nation’s slowest population growth since the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the population grew by a historically low 0.2% in 2021. The slowdown also comes after a sizeable uptick of growth in 2024, when the country added 3.2 million people and grew by 1.0%, the fastest annual population growth rate since 2006.
“The slowdown in U.S. population growth is largely due to a historic decline in net international migration, which dropped from 2.7 million to 1.3 million in the period from July 2024 through June 2025,” said Christine Hartley, assistant division chief for Estimates and Projections at the Census Bureau. “With births and deaths remaining relatively stable compared to the prior year, the sharp decline in net international migration is the main reason for the slower growth rate we see today.”
Slower population growth was felt across the country. All four census regions and every state except Montana and West Virginia saw their growth slow, or their decline accelerate.
 đź“° New on America Counts
U.S. Population Growth Slowest Since COVID-19 Pandemic
America’s growth is slowing — again.
After a brief post-pandemic uptick – 0.8% in 2023 and a robust 1.0% in 2024 – U.S. population growth slowed to 0.5% between 2024 and 2025.
A sizeable reduction in net international migration – people moving between the United States and other countries – was the main reason for the slowdown.Â
|
đź“ť New Blog
|
