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Fact Sheets: Economic Benefits of Reducing Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Fact Sheet

Fact Sheets: Economic Benefits of Reducing Racial and Ethnic Inequality

With the U.S. Census Bureau estimating that the majority of the U.S. population will be people of color by 2043, it is increasingly important that policymakers enact progressive policies that would improve the economic prospects and increase income for people of color.

Advancing Racial Equity and Justice, Restoring Social Trust in Democracy, Racial Equity and Justice

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Five-year-old kindergarden students Gael Alvarado, left, Perla Ortiz, center, and Yahir Perez do school work in a bilingual English-Spanish class at Hanby Elementary School in Mesquite, Texas, in 2011. (AP/LM Otero)
Five-year-old kindergarden students Gael Alvarado, left, Perla Ortiz, center, and Yahir Perez do school work in a bilingual English-Spanish class at Hanby Elementary School in Mesquite, Texas, in 2011. (AP/LM Otero)

See also: “All-In Nation: An America That Works for All” edited by Vanessa Cárdenas and Sarah Treuhaft

A few decades from now, the nation’s racial and ethnic makeup will be increasingly different than it is today. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the majority of the U.S. population will be people of color by 2043. This change is already happening at the state-level throughout our nation, and with it comes an important opportunity to reduce racial and ethnic inequalities. Closing these gaps by enacting progressive policies will improve the economic prospects and increase income for people of color, ultimately leading to a stronger economy that benefits all. But it’s not just people of color who would benefit, the economy as a whole would too. These fact sheets provide snapshots of state statistics about demographic changes and the statewide economic gains of eliminating racial and ethnic disparities by enacting sensible policies that would unleash the potential of growing communities of color.

For more information about the economic benefits of reducing racial and ethnic inequality, see the following state fact sheets:

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