Next U.S. census will have new boxes for 'Middle Eastern or North African,' 'Latino'
Biden administration updates U.S. census and federal surveys to enhance data accuracy and inclusivity.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
The Biden administration has approved changes for the U.S. census and federal surveys, including adding a checkbox for “Middle Eastern or North African” and modifying the question on race and ethnicity for Latinos, allowing respondents to choose multiple options. These adjustments are part of broader efforts to enhance data accuracy, reflect current identities, and support civil rights protections. The modifications, set to take effect in 2030, come after extensive research and aim to address the evolving demographics of the United States. Other alterations include expanding identity categories and removing outdated terms to improve data accuracy, with ongoing discussions about how to comprehensively capture the diverse identities within the population.