US faces education crisis: 650,000 fewer 18-year-olds by 2039, threatening college enrollment and economy

The U.S. is facing a looming demographic shift with 650,000 fewer 18-year-olds expected by 2039, posing a significant threat to college enrollment and the economy. With a projected 15% decline in high school graduates, colleges are bracing for declining enrollment, financial strain, and an increased risk of closures. This decrease in young people will also exacerbate the labor shortage, leaving millions of jobs unfilled, particularly in sectors that require higher education.