United States of America Population Pyramid 1956

United States of America
1956
Population: 168,824,960

Year

-5 -1   1956  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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United States of America in 1956

As of 1956, the United States of America counted 168,824,960 inhabitants. With a median age of 29.9 years, the United States of America had a youth dependency ratio of 48.9 and an old-age dependency ratio of 13.8 per 100 people of working age.

The broad-based, expansive shape of the pyramid points to high fertility and strong population growth.

The bulge of cohorts born between 1946 and 1964 — the post-war baby boom — is the defining feature of the United States pyramid, visible as it moves up the age scale over the decades.

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Population
168,824,960
Median age
29.9
0-14 %
30.0%
65+ %
8.5%
Child dependency
48.9
Old-age dependency
13.8
Pyramid shape
Population 2050
380,846,910
Population 2100
421,278,890
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
1234
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 1.62

The fertility rate of the United States of America was 1.62 births per woman in 2023, under the 2.1 needed to replace each generation.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
60708090
19602023 · 78.4

Life expectancy at birth was 78.4 years in 2023: 81.1 for women and 75.8 for men.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
15304560
19502100
Where immigrants come from (2024)

48,855,624 immigrants live in United States of America, 14.1% of the population.

Mexico11,279,561
India3,165,238
China2,488,775
Philippines2,263,697
Puerto Rico1,924,799
Where emigrants live (2024)

3,168,477 people born in United States of America live in other countries.

Mexico823,502
Canada256,571
United Kingdom243,570
Germany152,501
Puerto Rico144,149
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

Country Population Median age Relative size
United States of America 168,824,960 29.9
Canada 16,159,623 27.2
What was the population of the United States of America in 1956?
The United States of America had a population of 168,824,960 in 1956.
How old is the population of the United States of America?
The median age in the United States of America is 29.9 years — half the population is younger, half older.
What share of the United States of America's population is over 65 or under 15?
8.5% of the United States of America's population is 65 or older, and 30.0% is under 15.
What shape is the United States of America's population pyramid, and what does it mean?
The United States of America's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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