According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the global population has increased by 75 million people over the past year and is projected to reach over 8 billion on New Year's Day. The worldwide growth rate for the past year was just under 1%, with an estimated 4.3 births and two deaths occurring every second.
In comparison, the United States had a growth rate of 0.53% over the past year, which is about half of the global rate. The country added 1.7 million people, bringing the population to 335.8 million on New Year's Day. However, experts predict that the 2020s could be the slowest-growing decade in U.S. history, with a growth rate of less than 4% over the 10-year period from 2020 to 2030.
The slowest-growing decade on record was during the 1930s, following the Great Depression, with a growth rate of 7.3%. Demographer William Frey from The Brookings Institution suggests that while growth may increase slightly as the world recovers from the pandemic, it is unlikely to reach the levels seen in the 1930s.
Looking ahead to 2024, the United States is expected to see one birth every nine seconds and one death every 9.5 seconds. However, the population is projected to remain stable due to net international migration. It is estimated that one person will be added to the U.S. population every 28.3 seconds through immigration, resulting in an overall increase of one person every 24.2 seconds.
It is important to note that these figures are based on current trends and projections, and they may be subject to change. The global and U.S. populations will continue to be influenced by various factors, including birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns.