Between 2020 and 2021, the US population grew by 393,000 people. That’s one of the lowest single-year population increases on record. By comparison, between 2014 and 2015, the US grew by 2.4 million residents, six times higher than last year’s increase.
While COVID-19 related deaths had an impact on those lower numbers, decreasing birth rates also played a role.
With natural population growth down in recent years, immigration is a bigger factor in the growth of the country. Last year, immigration accounted for 62% of all population growth, even though immigration numbers were lower due to the pandemic.