Role of immigrants in the US economy and life

Immigrants have and are playing an increasingly crucial role in the US economy and life. The US is often referred to as a nation shaped by migration. Let’s have a closer look at the immigrants who call the US their home that will reveal their contribution and great changes that have occurred:

US residents born overseas

At present, almost 14% of the US population is overseas-born. It varies largely across the nation. The immigrant population is 5% in parts of Midwest and South East. In regions such as New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California it is more than 20%.

The nation's kids

The rising share of immigrants’ population is not just due to their increased arrivals. It is also due to the decreasing rate of birth in the local population that has declined to 1.8% from 3.7% in the 1960s. Meanwhile, the numbers of immigrants and their children both are growing, as quoted by the BBC.

The legal status of migrants

Majority of the immigrants to the US are with legal status. Around 44% of the overseas population received US Citizenship in 2014. Another 27% are having Green Cards and 4% are Provisional residents authorized to reside in the nation.

Source nations for immigrants

Most of the immigrants to the US today are from Asia and Latin America. This is a big transformation from 100 years back when most of them were from Europe.

Around 1 in 3 immigrants to the US today are from the Asian nations. India and China account for the largest share with 6.5% and 4.7% of all immigrants correspondingly.

Immigrants' education

It is more likely for the immigrants in the US to possess a Masters or Doctorate Degree in comparison with children of US-born parents.

Immigrants and the US economy

Immigrants make a direct contribution to the US economy. They boost the population of the nation and increase demand for services and goods. The economic output is higher and enhances faster with more immigrants. This is because they enhance the number of workers and productivity.

Immigrant workers are responsible for 39% increase in jobs in diverse sectors. These include Mathematics, Engineering, Technology and Science (STEM). They contributed 29% of the increase in jobs in overall US sectors.

The US Finances also have a positive impact due to the immigrants. This is because they pay more in the form of taxes than receiving government services. It is in comparison with the native US workers.

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If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to the US, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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