Archive · 29 Jan 2026
US Population Growth Slows Sharply in 2025
The United States saw a big slowdown in population growth in 2025.
The country only added 1.8 million people, which is the slowest growth since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This happened because fewer people moved to the US from other countries.
The Midwest was the only region where all states grew in population.
South Carolina was the fastest-growing state, while the South and Northeast regions saw the biggest slowdowns.
Experts say if this trend continues, the population growth could get even slower.
US population grew by just 1.8 million (0.5%) in 2025, the slowest rate since the early COVID-19 pandemic.
Net international migration fell by 54% to 1.3 million, driving the slowdown in population growth.
The Midwest was the only US region where all states recorded population growth in 2025.
South Carolina was the fastest-growing state with a 1.5% population increase, driven by strong domestic migration.
The South's growth rate fell below 1% for the first time since 2021, while the Northeast saw the steepest slowdown.
- Who
- US Census Bureau
- What
- US population growth slowed to 0.5% in 2025 due to a decline in international migration
- When
- Between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Primarily due to a historic decline in net international migration, which fell by more than half year-on-year
- Population Growth Rate (2025)
- 0.5%
- Population Increase (2025)
- 1.8 million
- Net International Migration (2025)
- 1.3 million
- Midwest Population Growth (2025)
- 244,385
- Fastest-Growing State (2025)
- South Carolina (1.5%)