1. POPULATION ISSUES
Recap from Level 4 – s3 Modern Studies
The US population is made up from 5 main ethnic groups (see the table below). The official population of the
USA is approx. 310 million people (2010) and it is rising about 1% each year. If this continues, then by 2050
the population will have risen to around 440 million and it is estimated that around 80% of this increase will be
due to new immigrants and their future USA-born children.
USA population 2010
Number in millions
% of population
White
201
66%
Hispanic
49
15.1%
Black (African Americans)
41
12.9%
Asian
15
5.1%
Native American
4
0.9%
US population Facts


2001 was the first time the Hispanic group was
bigger than the black group
The Hispanic population is currently the USA’s
largest minority group it is expected to triple in
size by 2050. Hispanics will make up 29% of the
US population by 2050 if the current trend
continues.

It is expected that about 20% of Americans will
be immigrants by 2050
Activities – from your s3 knowledge
Q1 –EXAM STYLE QUESTION Explain, in detail two factors that immigrants take into consideration when
deciding which state to settle in.
(4 marks)
Q2 – EXAM STYLE QUESTION “some people think the US benefits from continued immigration, whereas
others believe immigration harms the US”
Describe, in detail, TWO arguments FOR immigration in the USA AND TWO arguments AGAINST immigration
in the USA
(NAT 4 = 4 marks, ONE for and ONE against)
(NAT 5 = 8 marks)