FACTS USA: Which industries employ the most immigrants?

 

Which industries employ the most immigrant workers?

In 2023, nearly one in five workers in the US was foreign-born. Immigrants work in various industries, particularly education, health, and professional services.  Let’s explore the data on the industries that employ the most immigrant workers.

The largest group of foreign-born workers was in educational and health services—5.5 million workers, or 18.4% of all immigrant employees in 2023. This was followed by professional and business services, with 4.7 million (15.8%), and construction, with 3.3 million (11.1%).  However, as for the shares of industries themselves, construction had the highest percentage of immigrant workers, at 28.6% of all construction employees.  Professional and business services ranked second in immigrant workforce share (22.9%).  The third highest was “other services” (21.9%). This broad category includes services like auto repair, barber and beauty salons, and religious organizations.  By 2023, every industry had more foreign-born employees than they had in 2010.  Employment of native-born people also increased across most industries, except for three: mining (-15.0%), information (-7.2%), and wholesale and retail trade (-3.5%).

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The 2025 State of the Union in Numbers

Did you know that first address a president delivers to Congress isn’t called a “State of the Union address”?   It’s officially known as a “joint address to Congress.” However, its purpose is similar to a SOTU: to outline priorities and upcoming policies.    Regardless of who delivers the address, it’s often big on rhetoric.  That’s where our State of the Union in Numbers comes in. This data-driven report contains metrics that mark the start of the second Trump administration, such as:   In 2024, federal revenue was $4.9 trillion, down from the 2022 peak of $5.4 trillion. Meanwhile, federal spending reached $6.8 trillion.  Defense spending, accounting for 13% of the federal budget, was $820.3 billion in 2023. (Its peak was $964.4 billion in FY 2010.)  In 2023, about one in seven US residents, or 14.3% of the population, were immigrants.    See much more on federal finances, key market indicators, the American workforce in the 2025 State of the Union in Numbers.

Bird flu, cattle, and you

We’ve all seen it, and if you haven’t, you’ve at least heard the stories—the egg prices are up. Way up. That is, if you can find a carton at your local grocery store.     Avian flu has been disrupting the nation’s poultry industry since 2022, spreading to at least 138.7 million birds. Although the risk to humans is low, cases started spreading late last year. In early January, a Louisiana patient was the first in the nation to die from the virus.  Egg prices have fluctuated since the outbreak began, rising 135% from a national average of $2.17 per dozen in early 2022 to $5.10 in January 2023. They fell below $3.00 for several months before rising to $4.15 in December 2024.  Since 2022, avian flu has affected 1,431 poultry flocks of various sizes across all 50 states, including 652 commercial operations and 779 backyard flocks. California and Iowa accounted for 38% of all affected birds. In 2022, these states ranked 10th and 11th in the nation’s poultry inventory.  Avian flu began infecting cattle in 2024, with 929 cases reported in 16 states by January 2025. Most of the cases (72%, or 673 out of 929) were identified between October and December 2024, just as cases rose in birds. California had 77% of all incidents.

While the risk to humans remains low, 67 people contracted bird flu in 2024 (mostly after being around cattle), with no person-to-person spread reported.  Government agencies say avian flu is unlikely to spread through food, and that eggs, milk, and other products are safe to eat when properly prepared.

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Data behind the news

President Trump has said tariffs on Canada and Mexico will begin this week. Here’s a reminder of how tariffs work.    A national security adviser recently publicly stated that the United States does not see Ukraine being a member of NATO.  Meanwhile, Utah Senator Mike Lee expressed support for the US to leave the collective defense, which was founded to counter the Soviet Union during the Cold War.   It’s time again to try to remember how to change the clock on your stove — daylight saving time kicks into effect on Sunday, March 9.     Why do we do this twice a year?    The weekly fact quiz is ready to test your knowledge.

One last fact

The US imported more than it exported to 15 of its top 20 trade partners in 2023.  The highest trade deficits were with China ($279 billion), Mexico ($152 billion), and Vietnam ($105 billion).