The U.S. population has seen its slowest  growth rate in 2025, dropping by 50% from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This drop is largely the effect of President Donald Trump Administration’s anti-immigration policies and could substantially affect the American economy. 

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the population only increased by 0.5%, or 1.8 million, the lowest growth year  since 2021 at the peak of the pandemic. 

This lowered population growth coincides with a net decrease in immigration by 54%. Anti-immigration policies have not only deterred people from immigrating to the country but have also removed a portion of the population. According to a New York Times analysis, approximately 230,000 people were deported in 2025; other factors decreasing immigration included difficulties with getting  visas and the border shutdown. The decrease in immigration rates and population growth could have far reaching effects on the U.S. economy. Certain industries rely on both legal and undocumented immigrants for labor as seen in approximately 30% of construction workers and 22% of agricultural workers being immigrants. These numbers may be under-reported. 

Decreases in immigration could lead to a shortage of workers in these industries, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers, lowered productivity for manufacturers and lowering America’s GDP. The population decline, paired with lowered immigration rates, could lead to a smaller population of working-age adults, a shortage of workers and fewer taxpayers to pay for social security and pensions.