Juby Babu

(Reuters) – The natural decline in population in nearly all U.S. states last year compared to the previous two years was a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the Census Bureau on Thursday.

Over 73% of U.S. county experienced natural decline, which is an increase in deaths than births. This was up from 55.5% 2020 and 45.5% 2019, Bureau data indicated.

“In 2021, fewer births, an aging population and increased mortality – intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic – contributed to a rise in natural decrease,” the U.S. Census Bureau said in a statement.

According to Vintage 2021 data, which includes estimates of the population and other components of change, Los Angeles was the area with the greatest loss.

It added that all counties of Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, and Delaware experienced a natural decline in 2021. Some also saw a decrease in their population due to migration.

This fall is continuing a trend where more than half the U.S. county population has lost over the past decade, starting in 2010, census officials stated last August. Most of America’s growth occurred in metro areas.

The population grew by approximately 65% in metropolitan areas of the 50 U.S. States and District of Columbia between 2020 and 2021.

According to bureau data, U.S. growth was slower than in any previous year. The COVID-19 epidemic had impacted the subdued growth that has been recorded.