In the most recent jobs report released for October, a curious trend emerged: while employment increased for native-born workers, it declined for foreign-born workers. Despite this monthly fluctuation, over the past year, native-born employment plunged by a significant 773,000, contrasting with a substantial rise of 1 million in employment for foreign-born individuals.
This juxtaposition of native versus foreign-born job statistics has sparked interest for several compelling reasons. Amidst claims by Republicans that President Joe Biden’s policies favor immigrants, the broader economic implications of a sizable immigrant population contributing to economic growth, potentially beyond current statistical measures, have come to the forefront.
Within the monthly jobs report’s household survey lies the distinction between native-born and foreign-born employment figures. It’s important to note that these numbers are not seasonally adjusted and are entirely separate from the payroll data gathered from business establishments – resulting in more fluctuation due to the smaller sample size.
In the latest report, the employment for native-born workers saw an increase of 216,000, reaching 130.8 million. On the other hand, foreign-born workers experienced a decline of 324,000, bringing their total employment to 31 million.
A key insight into this data is the demographic shift occurring among the native-born population, with many individuals aging out of the workforce. While the absolute number of native-born workers might appear stagnant, the low unemployment rate among this group is notable, even as it has seen a slight uptick in recent months.
In light of these trends, it is essential to not only acknowledge the dynamics between native and foreign-born employment but also to consider the broader implications and potential policy responses to ensure a robust and inclusive labor market for all individuals.
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