This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7559996.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
US whites 'to be minority sooner' | US whites 'to be minority sooner' |
(29 minutes later) | |
White people are projected to no longer be in the majority in the United States by the year 2042 - eight years sooner than previous projections. | White people are projected to no longer be in the majority in the United States by the year 2042 - eight years sooner than previous projections. |
The US Census Bureau's latest figures - based on birth, death and immigration rates - suggest that minorities will soon make up 55% of the population. | The US Census Bureau's latest figures - based on birth, death and immigration rates - suggest that minorities will soon make up 55% of the population. |
Hispanics who now make up about 15% will, it says, account for 30% by 2050. | Hispanics who now make up about 15% will, it says, account for 30% by 2050. |
It is projected that black people will make up 15%, a small increase, while Asians will grow from 4% to 9%. | It is projected that black people will make up 15%, a small increase, while Asians will grow from 4% to 9%. |
White non-Hispanics currently make up about two-thirds of the population, but only 55% of those are aged under five. | |
'Aging baby boomers' | 'Aging baby boomers' |
It has long been said that the US is a nation of immigrants but in the past the influx has mainly come from white Europeans, the BBC's Jonathan Beale reports from Washington. | It has long been said that the US is a nation of immigrants but in the past the influx has mainly come from white Europeans, the BBC's Jonathan Beale reports from Washington. |
By the middle of this century, that group will be in the minority for the first time, he notes. | By the middle of this century, that group will be in the minority for the first time, he notes. |
It is likely that the demographic changes will be experienced right across the country - and no longer confined to urban areas as in the past. | It is likely that the demographic changes will be experienced right across the country - and no longer confined to urban areas as in the past. |
Overall, the US population is expected to rise from 305 million people to 439 million by the year 2050. | Overall, the US population is expected to rise from 305 million people to 439 million by the year 2050. |
The white population will also be ageing. The number of people over 85 years old will triple in the next 40 years. | The white population will also be ageing. The number of people over 85 years old will triple in the next 40 years. |
"The white population is older and very much centred around the aging baby boomers who are well past their high fertility years," William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution think tank, told the Associated Press. | "The white population is older and very much centred around the aging baby boomers who are well past their high fertility years," William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution think tank, told the Associated Press. |
"The future of America is epitomised by the young people today. They are basically the melting pot we are going to see in the future." | "The future of America is epitomised by the young people today. They are basically the melting pot we are going to see in the future." |
The Census Bureau points out that its projections are subject to big revisions, depending on immigration policy, cultural changes and natural or manmade disasters. | The Census Bureau points out that its projections are subject to big revisions, depending on immigration policy, cultural changes and natural or manmade disasters. |