U.S. Latino Children Fare Poorly on Many Social Indicators
Latinos make up a growing share of young Americans: Nationally their share reached 22 percent in 2008, but it already exceeds or approaches 50 percent in several U.S. states. Latino children and youth face some unique challenges as they grow up, and they fare poorly on many social indicators. Meeting their needs is important for the future of U.S. children and families. (November 2009)

Immigrants Work in Riskier and More Dangerous Jobs in the United States
Every year, thousands of workers are injured or die on the job from preventable accidents in the United States. Immigrants are disproportionately exposed to dangerous jobs. However, despite public perception and anecdotal evidence, previous research examining data from the 1980s and early 1990s concluded that immigrants were less likely to work in risky jobs than U.S.-born workers. Now, a new study finds that immigrants are more likely to work in risky jobs than U.S.-born workers. (November 2009)

U.S. Food Stamp Enrollment Rises
Timely economic data provide the means to assess the severity of the current economic hardship on the U.S. population. A direct measure of family economic need is the number of individuals and families participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the federal Food Stamp Program. SNAP participation rates have increased dramatically in recent months and could increase even further as income levels drop and more families become eligible to receive food stamp benefits. (October 2009)

Social Change in the Wake of the U.S. Recession
Between 2007 and 2008, U.S. household income fell sharply as the unemployment rate increased. By the end of this year, more than one in 10 people are projected to be looking for work. New data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey show that the recession's effects may have gone beyond employment and income, potentially affecting homeownership rates, commuting patterns, marriage rates, and migration trends. (September 2009)

Birth Rates Rising in Some Low Birth-Rate Countries
Birth rates are rising in a few countries that have had very low total fertility rates (TFRs) in recent years. But the pattern varies greatly among countries, sometimes because of government policies and immigration. PRB continues to track the TFR in low birth-rate countries. (September 2009)

Poverty Is a Persistent Reality for Many Rural Children in U.S.
Rural children are the forgotten fifth of poor children in the United States because most programs to help the poor focus on urban areas. Compared with poor urban children, the rural poor are more likely to be white, to be deeper in poverty, and to stay poor longer. Poverty in childhood is associated with many economic and social problems in adulthood, but poor rural children have a particular disadvantage. (September 2009)

2009 World Population Data Sheet Webcast: As World Population Approaches 7 Billion, the Youth Population Is More and More Concentrated in Africa and Asia
PRB's 2009 World Population Data Sheet was released at a press briefing at the National Press Club, in Washington, DC, on Aug. 12, 2009. This year's theme is children and youth. (August 2009)

2009 World Population Data Sheet
 Global population numbers are on track to reach 7 billion in 2011, just 12 years after reaching 6 billion in 1999. Virtually all of the growth is in developing countries. And the growth of the world’s youth population (ages 15 to 24) is shifting into the poorest of those countries. The Population Reference Bureau's 2009 World Population Data Sheet and its summary report offer detailed information about country, regional, and global population patterns. (August 2009)

World Population Highlights: Key Findings From PRB's 2009 World Population Data Sheet
Population change will shape the prospects of regions and countries over the next half century. Future population growth will be almost entirely in the developing world, with the fastest growth in the poorest countries and regions. This Population Bulletin is a companion to PRB's 2009 World Population Data Sheet and provides data and analysis on world population trends, youth, gender, and the environment. (August 2009)

The American Community Survey: Statement of Linda Jacobsen Before Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress
Statement of Linda Jacobsen, vice president, Domestic Programs at PRB, before the Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress, on "The Federal Statistical System in the 21st Century: The Role of the Census Bureau." (July 2009)