Business Principles

The population of the United States has grown steadily over the years, as shown in Figure 2-1. The growth rate is largely determined by the birth rate, the death rate, and the level of immigration into the country.

Generally, as the standard of living increases, the birth rate falls, and this has been the case in the United States. At the same time, because of better health care and an improved public health system,
people are living much longer.

Much of the population increase takes place through immigration. The United States annually accepts more legal immigrants than any other country in the world, with large numbers coming from Asian and Latin American nations. Many immigrants also enter the country illegally to seek a better life.