The U.S. Birth Rate Falls Further
The U.S. total fertility rate has been revised: the United States is no longer the only industrialized country with fertility above replacement level. Perhaps the new estimate of the U.S. TFR and the sagging U.S. economy, which may further reduce the birth rate, will narrow this gap soon. (June 2003)

Census Bureau to Track Both Metro and 'Micropolitan' Areas
'Micropolitan' areas have an urban cluster of at least 10,000 people that does not exceed 50,000 people. Ten percent of Americans live in micropolitan areas. (June 2003)

Immigration: Shaping and Reshaping America (PDF: 370KB)

 This Population Bulletin examines current immigration patterns and policies in the United States, reviews the peaks and troughs of immigration flows, and provides a historical perspective on contemporary trends. Resolving the fundamental economic, social, and political issues raised by immigration requires weighing the choices or trade-offs between widely shared but competing goals in American society. (BUL58.2, June 2003)

Saudi Arabia Faces Population Pressures
Saudi Arabia is grappling with many demographic problems: a large, young population; fertility rates of almost 6 children per woman; high population growth; and a large expatriate population. (May 2003)

Number of Foreign-Born Reaches All-Time High in U.S.
In 2002, 32.5 million people in the United States were foreign-born, and about half arrived in 1990 or later. Nearly 60 percent live in one of four states: California, New York, Florida, or Texas. (June 2003)

Iraqi Population Outlook Uncertain
War and international economic sanctions have seriously compromised living conditions for Iraq’s population of 24 million, half of whom are under age 18. Estimates show that life expectancy at birth, which was 65 years at the end of the 1980s, is now 58 years, compared with 76 years in Kuwait. (April 2003)

Population Dynamics in Latin America (PDF: 318KB)

 Despite declining fertility, negative migration rates, and declining growth rates, the size of Latin America's population is expected to increase from 520 million to 800 million by 2050. (BUL58.1, March 2003)

UN Projects Slower Population Growth
The newly released 2002 revision of the UN's World Population Prospects shows that, by the year 2050, 75 percent of all countries in the less developed regions of the world will experience below-replacement fertility — lower than 2.1 children per woman. (March 2003)

A Path for Balanced Population Growth?
In terms of world population growth, Latin America and the Caribbean stand in the middle of the demographic picture. LAC growth outstrips its northern neighbors, the United States and Canada, and is expected to have roughly twice North America's population by 2050. (February 2003)

An Overview of Population and Development in Vietnam
Vietnam is experiencing rapid population change. The population growth rate is only 1.4 percent per year and the total fertility rate is nearing replacement level. Despite dramatic progress, the country finds itself with a high abortion rate, low educational levels, and accelerating HIV rates. (February 2003)