STEM WORKERS IN THE U.S [FOREIGN BORN]

• Immigrants made up almost one-fourth, or 23.1 percent, of all STEM workers in the United States in 2019, a significant increase from just 16.4 percent in 2000.
• While the overall number of STEM workers in the United States increased by 44.5 percent between 2000 and 2019, the number of immigrant STEM workers more than doubled over the same period. By 2019, there were almost 2.5 million immigrant STEM workers, compared to just 1.2 million in 2000.
• Immigrants from India formed the largest country of birth group among immigrant STEM workers, at 28.9 percent of all foreign-born STEM workers in 2019. There were also significant numbers of STEM workers who were born in China (273,000), Mexico (119,000), and Vietnam (100,000).
• The foreign-born share of workers in the largest STEM occupation groups—computer and math, and engineering occupations—has increased since 2000. The largest increase was seen among computer and math occupations, where the immigrant share of the workforce grew from 17.7 percent in 2000 to 26.1 percent in 2019.
• Women remain underrepresented among STEM workers overall as well as among immigrant STEM workers. While the share of STEM workers who are female has increased slightly since 2000, only 26.8 percent of all STEM workers were female as of 2019. Women made up 27.2 percent of all immigrant STEM workers in 2019.
• Even among STEM workers, who are among the most highly educated workers in the United States, foreign-born workers stand out. While 67.3 percent of U.S.-born STEM workers held at least a bachelor’s degree in 2019, 86.5 percent of immigrant STEM workers did. Almost half, or 49.3 percent, of immigrant STEM workers held an advanced degree in 2019, compared to only 21.8 percent of U.S.-born STEM workers.

Source: American Immigration Council