Fact Check: "Net international migration accounted for 84% of the 3.3 million-person increase in the U.S. population reported in the most recent data."
What We Know
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. population grew by approximately 3.3 million people between 2023 and 2024, marking a growth rate of nearly 1.0%. This increase is the fastest the nation has experienced since 2001. The primary driver of this growth was net international migration, which accounted for 84% of the total increase, translating to a net gain of 2.8 million people. This trend reflects a significant rise in international migration, with previous years showing net increases of 1.7 million in 2022 and 2.3 million in 2023.
Natural increase, defined as the difference between births and deaths, contributed an additional 519,000 people to the population growth during this period, but it was net international migration that played the dominant role in the recent population surge.
Analysis
The claim that net international migration accounted for 84% of the population increase is supported by multiple credible sources. The Census Bureau explicitly states that net international migration was the critical demographic component driving the growth in the resident population, confirming the statistic of 2.8 million people contributing to the overall increase of 3.3 million.
Furthermore, an article from AP News corroborates this information, noting that immigration was responsible for the highest population growth rate in 23 years. Similarly, USA Today emphasizes that international migration accounted for the same percentage of the population growth, providing additional confirmation from a reputable news outlet.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they originate from official government data and established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The Census Bureau's data is particularly credible, as it is the authoritative source for demographic statistics in the United States.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that net international migration accounted for 84% of the 3.3 million-person increase in the U.S. population is accurate. This statistic is well-documented and supported by reliable sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and reputable news organizations. The data clearly indicates that while natural increase also contributed to population growth, net international migration was the primary driver of the recent surge.
