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More people died in Michigan in 2020 than were born

The grave of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Marvin Rex Young, who was killed in the Battle of Ben Cui in Vietnam in 1968.
Kara Frame
/
NPR
The grave of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Marvin Rex Young, who was killed in the Battle of Ben Cui in Vietnam in 1968.

More people died in Michigan in 2020 than were born.

That’s according to an analysis by a former state demographer.

The trend could have big implications for the Michigan economy, if the state can’t attract more people to move here.

Charles Ballard is an economist at Michigan State University.

“I think we have not done as good a job - not nearly as good a job - at reminding ourselves and reminding the rest of the world that this is a great place to live. We’ve got all of the freshwater assets, all of the beautiful scenery.”

Ballard was a guest on Michigan Radio’s Stateside on Wednesday.

Dustin Dwyer reports enterprise and long-form stories from Michigan Public's West Michigan bureau.