New demographic research has come out to show that diversity is on the rise across the board amongst those in the millennial generation. Millenials is a catch-all term used to describe individuals born in the 1980s who have come of age in the digital era. Much like the ‘baby-boomers’ stereotype, the ‘millennials’ tag comes with a lot of presumptions about style, interests, skills, desires, and cultural attitudes. One of these defining stereotypes is that millennials understood and value cultural sensitivity and multiculturalism more than their parents generation.
New data from a recently published 2015 census report backs up this stereotype. This is a meaningful finding because millennials comprise a large portion of the American working population. Millennials between 18 and 34 comprise 23 percent of the total population, and 30 percent of the voting population. Furthermore, millennials hold a strong place among racial minorities. An immense 43 percent of the minority working population is made up of millennials. These young adults are usually second or third generation Americans.
What the Numbers Show
Here is a quick rundown of what the numbers from the census show:
- Millennials Represent Racial Diversity: Millennials in America are 55.8 percent white and 30 percent minorities other than black (Hispanic, Asian, and others). Minority populations make up an even greater segment of the population in some states. The best example is California, with a whopping 60 percent new minority population. It is no surprise that California is also known as Silicon Valley because of it’s impressive array of tech companies that are charting the path to a brighter future.
- The Future is Even More Diverse: The numbers show that the white population will be even more on the decline in the next generation. Data on the post-millennial generation show that whites make up 50 percent of those under 18. This goes to show that multiculturalism will only become a stronger part of the American cultural landscape.
Impact on the Labor Market
There is already a strong government system in place to bring foreign nationals into the country on temporary work visas. The demographic realities of diversity mean that these kinds of programs will probably become more accessible in the coming generations, as ideas about race and cultural difference fade into the background and questions of aptitude and experience become more important.
The Department of Labor already runs a program called PERM that allows employers to sponsor foreign nationals to get a temporary work visa in the States. Advertising the successes of PERM go hand in hand with the growing multiculturalism and cultural sensitivity across the country. It is to be expected that PERM will be updated to match the growing demand of digital and tech industries that grow at a rapid speed and require the best minds the world can offer.
