AXIOS (Russell Contreras) - America's missing middle: The shrinking 45-64 population
Data: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates ; Chart: Russell Contreras/Axios America has a missing-middle problem — and this one is demographic. Why it matters: The shrinking 45-64 population could leave fewer experienced adults to run institutions, mentor younger workers and care for the fast-growing population behind them. - This is the Gen X-ish squeeze: The age group includes most of Generation X, plus younger baby boomers. - It also overlaps with the "sandwich generation" years, when many adults are juggling children, aging parents, careers and their own retirement worries. By the numbers: The U.S. population ages 45-64 fell by 2.68 million from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, according to new Census Bureau…