Latino trends to watch in 2025 and beyond
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Over the past nearly four years, Axios Latino has highlighted Latinos of all nationalities and political ideologies — their successes and struggles. But the work isn't over.
Why it matters: Latinos make up nearly 19% of the U.S. population, and that share will only grow as the country moves toward having no majority racial or ethnic group.
- Latinos are also on average a lot younger than most other demographic groups, and, in the wise words of the late Whitney Houston, we believe that children are our future.
- U.S. Latinos contribute billions of dollars in economic growth and launch small businesses at higher rates than other racial/ethnic groups.
Stunning stat: U.S. Latinos' economic output reached $3.6 trillion in 2022, per the latest available data.
State of play: Today, there are countless disparities between Latinos and non-Hispanic white Americans when it comes to health care, banking, funding and educational access. These are important to highlight — but so are all of Latinos' achievements.
- Even though Axios Latino is ending, Axios and Noticias Telemundo still be covering these stories.
In the meantime, here are some things we think everyone should be paying attention to:
Latino voters
We've been reporting on this for years — Latinos are not as reliably Democratic as many in the party thought they were.
- In fact, Latinos are the ultimate swing voters.
Zoom in: The share of Latinos who voted for President-elect Trump grew from 32% in 2020 to 46% in November.
- 65% of Latino voters cast a ballot for President Biden in 2020; 51% did for Harris this year.
- Whether this is a long-term trend or a blip will hinge on how the parties reach out to Latinos.
Latino politicians
For a long time, it's been the standard for political parties (largely the Democratic Party) to recruit Latinos to run for federal office in Latino-majority districts.
- It's no longer a given that a Latino will be elected to represent a Latino district — or that a Latino can only successfully run in a Latino district.
What it means: Latinos are in the mainstream, baby. Latinos are here and there and everywhere, and are continuing to amass political power in unexpected places.
Yes, but: Growth in numbers alone doesn't equal growth in power. Latinos make up only 2% of elected officials nationwide, and political leaders need to build a bench of Hispanic politicians in both parties to help that percentage grow.
Cultural contributors
A decade ago, it seemed unthinkable that a comedian could sell out venues all over the country with a Spanish-only set. With Venezuelan comedian Angelo Colina, that time is here.
- Puerto Rican powerhouse Lin-Manuel Miranda has radically changed the Broadway/Disney/pop culture game.
- Spanish-language music, including the super hot regional genre, has gone global, and is no longer a niche scene.
The fine print: Latinos are still woefully underrepresented in the film and TV worlds, comprising a tiny fraction of leading roles, directors and writers.
- How Latinos continue to make their mark in culture and Hollywood — and how many doors gatekeepers open for them — is something to keep an eye on.
Entrepreneurs
Immigrants started new businesses last year at more than double the rate of U.S.-born citizens, according to a recent analysis. Many of them are Latino.
Why it matters: Entrepreneurship can lead to financial success for immigrants, especially those who lack legal status to work. They in turn help fuel the nation's economic growth.
Yes, but: Economists worry Trump's planned mass deportations could threaten many industries in which Latinos work or own businesses.
Latin America
What happens in Latin America reverberates in the U.S. and beyond.
- The fallout from the Venezuelan July elections, the rising insecurity in Ecuador and the crackdown on dissent in Nicaragua have all prompted more people to emigrate to the U.S.
- But the region also offers some lessons learned and best practices: Latin America has examples of successful policies to curb kids' sugar intake, tackle the mental health crisis, and address the environmental and social impacts of a changing climate and water scarcity.
