According to specialists at the Pew Research Center, the growth of the US population, which as of early 2008 stands at 303 million, will be achieved almost entirely through immigration. The only age group whose numbers will increase without the help of immigrants will be retirees. By 2030, 79 million Americans born in the early years after World War II – during the "baby boom" – will have crossed the 65-year age threshold.
Researchers from the Pew Research Center point out that even if US authorities take measures aimed at sharply reducing the influx of immigrants, the United States will see a sharp change in the ethnic composition of the population. The birth rate among people of Latin American origin in the first or subsequent generations is significantly higher than the national average, and by 2050, Hispanic Americans will make up at least 29% of the total population. Descendants of people from Africa will still account for 13% of the US population, and 9% of Americans will have Asian roots.
For every 100 working-age Americans by 2050, if current immigration rates persist, there will be 72 non-working residents of the country – retirees and children. In 2005, for every 100 working Americans, there were 59 non-working-age residents. According to the Pew Research Center report, this indicator will be most affected by the retirement of the baby boom generation, the consequences of which will only be partially offset by the influx of immigrants, most of whom are of working age.
The forecast compiled by the Pew Research Center differs from the calculations of the US Census Bureau, which expects the population to grow at a slower pace.