PRB Discuss Online: "Is the U.S. Birth Rate Still Fueling Population Growth?"
We often hear that the U.S. family is shrinking and that more young Americans aren't getting married or having children—but the U.S. has a higher birth rate than most other industrialized countries. Who is having or not having children in the U.S. today? How has U.S. fertility changed since the baby-boom years of the 1950s and 1960s? How has immigration affected the U.S. birth rate? Where does the U.S. rank compared with other countries? Mary Kent, editor of PRB's Population Bulletin, led a PRB Discuss Online on this topic. Read a transcript of the questions and answers. (March 2007)

The Divergent Paths of Baby Boomers and Immigrants
The United States is in the midst of a major realignment of its population as the baby-boom generation ages into retirement and a smaller, strikingly different younger generation prepares to take over. Demographer Dowell Myers argues that this is a population shift of historic proportions. Unlike earlier demographic change, he says, this one brings the potential for conflict between the generations because of their divergent racial, ethnic, and nativity profiles—the older mainly white, the younger heavily minority and immigrant. (March 2007)

New Restrictions Could Limit U.S. Adoptions From Top Two Countries of Origin: China and Guatemala
Although the number of U.S. adoptions of foreign children has generally risen over the past decade, in recent years, that number has fluctuated. Changes in China's adoption criteria and the United States' plan to implement a global treaty on intercountry adoption could affect the number of children adopted from the top two countries of origin for foreign adoptions—currently China and Guatemala. One contributing factor: The vast majority of American children adopted from abroad come from just a handful of countries. (March 2007)

Migration of Workers Affects Supply of Scientists and Engineers in U.S.
For workers in science and engineering occupations in the United States, according to a PRB analysis, migration plays a more important role than for other employees. About 4 percent of the science and engineering workforce moved to a new state between 2003 and 2004, a slightly higher proportion than among other civilian occupations. (February 2007)

The Feminization of Migration: Limits of the Data
Data collected by governments indicate that women now account for almost half of immigrants around the world, but the proportion of international migrants who are male or female varies substantially by country and region. Although some numbers are available on the status, employment, and remittance patterns of these female migrants, there are not enough data to answer key questions. These gaps need to be filled to assist with the development of evidence-based policies that would improve the migration experience for women and men, and for sending and destination countries. (February 2007)

Community Action Addresses Population Impacts on the Environment
Many developing countries possess abundant natural resources, but these resources can be threatened by population pressures and poverty, among other factors. A young population age structure, in-migration, and high fertility contribute to rapid population growth in many communities, exerting pressure on local resources. (February 2007)

Immigration: Shaping and Reshaping America

 The 2nd edition of this popular Population Bulletin examines current immigration patterns and policies in the United States, reviews immigration flows, and provides an historical perspective on contemporary migration. (BUL61.4, December 2006)

Feminization of Migration
Women's international migration patterns have changed: More are moving from one country to another on their own, rather than to join husbands or family, raising concerns about women's security and human rights. (December 2006)

PRB Discuss Online: "Is Global Pressure for Immigration Increasing?"
Nearly 3 million people migrate to other countries today. As long as high birth rates and poverty continue to place pressure on populations, migrants will see advantages to moving to countries with more resources and greater opportunities. With aging societies in Europe, and with Japan and other Asian countries seeing a reduction in their labor forces, the need for workers will conflict with many countries' desires to remain relatively culturally homogeneous. Carl Haub, PRB senior demographer, led a PRB Discuss Online on this topic of international migration. Read a transcript of the questions and answers. (November 2006)

PRB Discuss Online: "The U.S. at 300 Million: Challenges and Opportunities"
The U.S. is set to reach a milestone this month: It will become the third country, after China and India, to be home to at least 300 million people. Why is this milestone significant? What are the most important changes since the 1960s, as the United States saw a decline in household size, rise in women's labor force participation, increase in education, and growth in the number of foreign-born people. Linda Jacobsen, director of domestic programs at PRB, led this PRB Discuss Online. Read a transcript of the questions and answers. (October 2006)