New Census Bureau figures show international migration into the Pittsburgh area dropped sharply last year, with fewer than 2,900 newcomers arriving from outside the country — down from more than 6,000 in recent years.
Researchers say immigrants have helped slow population losses in an aging region where deaths outpace births.
Without that boost, the eight-county metro area lost more than 3,100 residents overall.
Allegheny County alone declined by more than 2,000 people.
The slowdown reflects a nationwide trend tied to tighter immigration policies and increased enforcement, as more than half of Pennsylvania counties also saw populations losses.
Researchers say immigrants have helped slow population losses in an aging region where deaths outpace births.
