With the U.S. population rapidly aging and baby boomers retiring over the next 20 years, the U.S. workforce is becoming more dependent on immigrants not only joining the workforce, but especially in helping to fill the void of healthcare workers we need to assist our aging population. Whether it’s highly skilled jobs like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, or more supportive roles like home-health aids, nursing aids, and medical assistants, the U.S needs people to fill these important positions.
Over the next 20 years, two-thirds of new entrants into the labor market will be replacing retiring workers; with an estimated 58 million workers needed to fill those jobs and roughly 51 million native-born people projected to enter the workforce,
immigrants will be crucial in filling those other 7 million jobs. Many of the jobs that will need to be filled will be created by the need to care for our aging population. Because immigration fuels roughly two-fifths of U.S. population growth and the age of immigrant workers is younger (which subsequently slows the aging of the population) than the native-born population, immigrants are essential to the U.S. workforce.
The aging population in the U.S. is not a problem that will disappear anytime soon.
The elderly share of the U.S. population grew from only 8.3 percent in 1950 to 13.1 percent in 2010. It is projected to reach 19.9 percent by 2030 (after the last of the baby boomers have turned 65), and will then inch up to 21.2 percent by 2050. In contrast, the share of the population consisting of working-age adults and children will decline over the next few decade. The elderly population of the U.S. will more than double in size over the next four decades.
The country’s demographic future indicates that the U.S. will not be able to fill the abundance of jobs created as our population continues to age—and without a supplemental immigrant workforce, these jobs will be left open or greatly drive up the cost of care. Legalizing immigrants to work in these professions would not only help the U.S. care for their elderly population, but it would also create new taxpayers to continue to fund social security and medicare.
Immigration has always helped fuel the U.S. economy, and immigrant workers have been a valuable resource for filling gaps in the country's workforce. GoffWilson realizes the importance of immigrant workers and the significant role they can play in the U.S.’s healthcare industry. We also realize that navigating the complexities of the visa system is both trying and difficult. If you have a question or need any help with the visa process for medical professionals, contact us here
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