The population growth rate has decline for the sixth year in a row in California, causing policymakers to voice concern over a future shortage in the state's educated workforce. High costs of living are blamed for the decline.
Many have left the state to find cheaper housing and more jobs in other states, according to demographers. Though foreign migration and new births offset the 67,000 who left the state, the growth rate has continued the steady drop it began in 2000. The 2006 rate was 1.25%.
"Even foreign immigration to California -- especially its largest counties, including San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara -- is slipping as immigrants find that other states offer plentiful jobs and cheaper housing, demographic analysts said."
"These changes could leave California without the educated workforce it needs, in part because of the widening achievement gap among California students. The Public Policy Institute of California projects that by 2020, the state's supply of college-educated workers won't meet the state's needs, said institute fellow Deborah Reed."
