ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – For the first time in U.S. history, one in five Americans identify as Latino, according to a new study from UCLA and California Lutheran University. Using 2024 Census data, researchers found the Latino population has grown to over 68 million, an increase of 2 million from the previous year.
In New Mexico, the impact is even more pronounced. 48.15% of the state’s population identifies as Latino, making it one of the most Latino-populated states in the country.
The study also highlights strong economic contributions. The Latino labor force nationwide grew by 5.5% last year, outpacing non-Latino growth by more than 4 percentage points. In New Mexico, Latino workers continue to play a vital role in key industries, reflecting similar upward trends.
Perhaps most notably, the U.S. Latino GDP reached $4.1 trillion, making it the fifth-largest economy in the world—larger than India’s. Researchers say the Latino GDP has also been the fastest-growing among major economies, outpacing China’s growth since 2019.
Experts behind the report credit the growth to values like hard work, perseverance, and self-sufficiency, which continue to shape the economic and cultural landscape of both New Mexico and the nation.