The population for Guam and the CNMI is on a downward trend. The numbers from the US Census clearly showing this reality. Over the weekend, a report in The Washington Post concluding every territory is now shrinking, losing its population faster than any state.

People are fleeing Puerto Rico, Guam and every other US territory. What gives? That’s the headline of the article post published this weekend. The report using the 2020 census numbers highlighting the decline.

"It is disappointing," admitted Angelo Villagomez, now a senior fellow with the Center for American Progress. He was born on Guam and is from Saipan. Post-college, he returned to Saipan where he worked in environmental conservation. He also created the Coalition Beautify CNMI.

But that nearly a decade and a half ago. "The reason I left is I was look for the next big thing in my career and the opportunities were in Washington, DC," he stated.

A 3.5% percent decline in population recorded between 2010 and 2020 on Guam, and down 12.2% in the Northern Marianas Islands, according to the US Census Bureau.

The Washington Post analysis showing the drop in population - a result of issues like declining manufacturing, lack of healthcare, falling birthrates, brain drain and climate change. 

"For me personally, it was economic opportunity," Villagomez added. "I have grander material wealth but I have given up close ties to my culture. I given up close ties to my family. I am 14 hours behind and 8,000 miles away. So I've missed that. But I think folks have different reasons. Economics is part of it. On Saipan, climate change definitely plays a role. Our island have been devastated by two typhoons over the last seven years and that had an affect on our economy. Then also COVID. I have a couple friends who had businesses in CNMI and it just didn’t work out. They did not make it with COVID even with the federal funds."

University of Guam economist Dr. Roseann Jones stated in the article, "It’s really troubling for our middle class and our students who graduate here. They’re beginning to say this is a very challenging place economically to build and raise a family, to commit to."

"Home will always be home and to a certain degree this has kind of been the story of the United States for the last 150 years."

Villagomez saying what needs to change is voting representation for the territories in the US Senate and Congress.

For now, it appears the trend of more leaving the islands will continue. "For this generation right now, we are doing a little bit of back and forth but for the diaspora that are born in the Mainland US, it’s going to be difficult for them to get back home and meet their family and learn about our culture and what it’s like living on the islands," he said.

Responding the report on people fleeing, Delegate Michael San Nicolas states, "Stagnant economies, the crippling cost of living, a bleak outlook for families, and for Guam a local government that is focused on power and not the people, is sadly forcing generations of families to leave home."