New England's Young Adult Population Lags Rest Of Nation
Trend is "Alarming" for Impact on Economic Future
By Amy Seif,, The Carsey Institute
January 17, 2007
The population of young adults (25 – 34) in all New England states declined
much more sharply than the national average from 1990 to 2004, a new fact sheet
from the Carsey Institute finds. During that time period, the population of
young adults in New England declined nearly 25 percent, compared to the national
average decline of 7 percent. While New England’s growth lags the national
average for all age cohorts, this decline in the young adult cohort is the
most alarming, says report author Ross Gittell, James R. Carter professor of
management at UNH and a senior fellow at the Carsey Institute.
“New England’s economic future will shape and be shaped by demographic
trends in the region, and there are some disturbing patterns emerging showing
a decline in the young adult population,” says Gittell, who analyzed
data recently available from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. “Businesses
need a dynamic labor force that includes a pool of young adult workers. Young
adults also make the region a vibrant and interesting place to live, contributing
to cultural, intellectual and social life. And young families support local
schools and demand a strong educational system.”
The region’s population has grown less than the national average over
the last 15 years, increasing 8 percent compared to an 18 percent increase
nationally. In the young adult cohort, all the New England states are among
the bottom 10 of the 50 states in population change and all the states in the
region have lost one-fifth or more of their young adult populations. The decline
is region-wide – all 67 counties in New England, with the exception of
Nantucket County in Massachusetts, experienced some decline in the young adult
cohort.
The decline in young adults in the New England states contrasts sharply with
the greater than 10 percent growth in this cohort in seven of the Western Mountain,
Northwest and Southeast States – Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Colorado,
Georgia and Oregon.
In the fact sheet, Gittell notes that some of New England’s population
changes are attributable to predictable demographic shifts, such as the aging
of the large baby boom population who, by 2004, were no longer young adults.
The Carey Institute urges leaders to pay attention to these population trends
and their impact on the future labor force, economy and character of the New
England region.
“Younger workers provide the economic foundation for the future strength
and resilience of the region’s businesses. They provide a critical pool
of hard working, entry level workers for businesses in all industries, and
often bring fresh ideas, new skills, and energy to the workplace,” he
says. “They make the region more interesting, more dynamic and can be
a magnet that attracts others to come and visit and live in the region, both
young and old.”
The complete fact sheet can be downloaded at the Carsey Institute’s
Web site: www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu.
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