US Census reveals Chinese population surpasses Indians in America
America's hatred towards China is too well documented. And since the time Donald Trump has become the President of the United States, the nature of the relationship between the two countries has become bitter. Trump has imposed a huge tariff upon China. But in the midst of all the turbulence in the relationship, the interesting fact is that there are greater Chinese in America than there are in India.
The strained US-China relationship is being discussed anywhere and everywhere across the globe. Whether the issue is of a trade war or of spying, the tension between the two countries is always making headlines. But in all this acrimony of two nations, something which is quite unusual has come to light. There are more Chinese present in America than there are in India. Yes, according to 2023 statistics, the highest number of Asians residing in the US by their origin are Chinese, then Indians. In 2000, it was only 1.19 crore, a growth of 109% in 23 years, Asians are now America's fastest growing racial and ethnic group. The growth rate of this group is higher than that of the black, white and Hispanic population.
Largest Asian Population: Chinese
Based on 2023 data, 5.5 million Americans identify themselves as Chinese. These are individuals who have immigrated from China, or born in America but tracing their origins back to China. About 77% of Chinese-Americans identify as being only Chinese, i.e., they identify with no other ethnic or racial group. They constitute 22% of America's total Asian population.
Indians are second
Compared to 55 lakh Chinese, Indians are about 52 lakh. That is, there is a small margin, but the second and first place number is certain. Most Indian-Americans (91%) self-identify as Indians. They constitute about 21% of all US Asians. In 2000, only 18 lakh Indians lived in the US, but by 2023, it had gone up to 49 lakh, an addition of 174%.
Immigration slows down, but figures rise
66% of Indians residing in the US are immigrants, i.e. individuals who immigrated from India, in 2023. It was 73% in the year 2000, so technically the figure has reduced marginally. But if one considers the figures, the immigrant Indians have gone up from 13 lakh to 32 lakh.
So why are there so many Chinese?
Experts believe that the roots of the Chinese-American community are very old in America. Chinese people started coming to America from the 19th century, while the large influx of Indians started after 1990. Apart from this, the number of American-born citizens in the Chinese community is also high.
