Opinion: Our future - colorful, but less secure

For many years, the United States has had a very low birth rate. This has been especially true of non-Hispanic, non-immigrant white people of European ancestry and Asian Americans. Were it not for our extremely diverse population, our country’s total population would now be shrinking each year. But we continue to grow. For now.

Population momentum

Although U.S. population growth is below replacement level, our national numbers increase every year because of past positive growth. Population increases like money invested in a bank or securities. Understanding compound interest involves a little bit of math. Money (or population) that grows by two percent annually doubles in 35, not 50, years.

Moreover, population has “momentum.” So, the parents of one age cohort are likely to be around when their children have children, and some will still be alive to see their great-grandchildren.