For the first time black, Hispanic, Asian and mixed race babies have outnumbered the number of white babies born in America.
According to the US Census Bureau white births now make up fewer than half the children born in the country. The new census for 2011 statistics, reveals that non-Hispanic whites accounted for 49.6% of all births in the 12-month period that ended last July. Ethnic minorities made 50.4% in total, with Hispanics at 26 per cent, blacks 15 per cent, and about 4 per cent Asian - a significant increase from the 37% ratio in 1990.
Although birth rates have actually decreased overall, the decline is more notable with white mothers, at 11.4%, compared with that of 3.2% for minorities.
In four US states – Hawaii, California, New Mexico and Texas – as well as the District of Columbia, the minority populations have already exceed 50 per cent, the rest of the country looks set to catch up.
Although the change was expected, it was not certain when the moment would arrive. America is a nation whose government was founded by white Europeans and has struggled with issues of race, including slavery, civil war, bitter civil rights battles and recently, highly charged debates over efforts to restrict immigration. Commentators have said that the shift in American identity will bring broad implications for the country’s economy, political life and its identity.
