March 18, 2004
NUMBERS OTHERS CAN ONLY DREAM OF:
Census projects more diversity (Haya El Nasser, 3/18/04, USA TODAY)
The oldest baby boomers will turn 65 in 2011. By 2030, 20% of Americans will be 65 or older, up from 12% in 2000.The profound demographic shifts promise to redefine American society at every level — from the ethnic make-up of suburban neighborhoods to public education, elderly care and national voting patterns.
Economists say that as the U.S. population ages, the increase in the working-age population will help pay for Social Security, Medicare and other government benefits for seniors.
The population increase also will fuel the housing market. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has cited the increase in the population for helping to keep the housing industry humming.
While far lower than the 86% population increase from 1950 to 2000, the projected 49% growth by 2050 contrasts sharply with forecasts for most European countries. Germany and Italy, for example, are on the brink of population declines because of low fertility rates.
The projections suggest that whites who are not Hispanic — the dominant population group since the nation was founded in 1776 — will see their share of the population drop from 69% in 2000 to 50% in 2050.
Immigration is all well and good, but the task now is to get those of us who are already here to boost fertility rates. Posted by Orrin Judd at March 18, 2004 8:15 AM
If you look at how they classify races, one drop is enough to call someone non-white. There will be an increasingly large per centage of mixed race people who would be classified as non-white but be totally assimulated. This is especially true of Latinos and Asians.
Posted by: D. Woolwine at March 18, 2004 8:22 AMOJ: That's why God made Cajuns.
Posted by: Chris at March 18, 2004 9:13 AMthe key is not just to get anyone to boost fertility rates, as arguably there are many individuals in this country that should NEVER have offspring.
Posted by: a at March 18, 2004 9:51 AMIn a couple hundred years, we are all going to be shades of brown.
Posted by: Rick T. at March 18, 2004 10:31 AMA: Curiously, Cajuns overlap on that one, too. I speak as one; I should know.
Posted by: Chris at March 18, 2004 10:40 AMOne day Boudreaux was walking down the street and met up with Thibodaux. "Thibodaux", he says, "How are you doing?"
"Not too good," answered Thibodaux, "I got fired."
"Got Fired", exclaimed Boudreaux, "You been working at the shrimp shed for 20 years. What happened?"
"I got my penis stuck in the shrimp dryer", answered Thibodaux. "Oooh, that must of hurt. Is the shrimp dryer broke?", asked Boudreaux.
"Not yet", said Thibodaux, "But she will be. She got fired too!!"
Posted by: h-man at March 18, 2004 12:06 PMRaise the Child Tax Credit for each successive child, i.e., $ 1,000 for the first kid, $ 3,000 for the second, and $ 5,000 for each additional child.
Tax condoms and abortions.
Those might bump up the fertility rate.
Posted by: Michael Herdegen at March 18, 2004 12:25 PMOr reverse global warming until the average winter temperature is -7 degrees C or lower.
At least, fertility used to rise in tsarist Russia when the temperature dropped that low.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at March 18, 2004 12:59 PMH-Man: I have to share that one with the relatives.
Posted by: Chris at March 18, 2004 2:11 PM