When it comes to population, Michigan is no longer a rarity – a state losing population while every other one is gaining it.

The state has gained residents since bottoming out in 2009 after five straight years of decline. But recovery has been tepid and from July 2018 to July 2019, the state’s population increased by just under 3,000 people to nearly 10 million, down from average annual growth of 17,500 the previous three years.

And while that’s still better than other states – six have lost population since 2010 – Michigan’s slowing growth worries state and local government officials who rely on taxes to support services.

What’s worse: Early data indicate those who are leaving the state tend to be younger and more educated, exactly the sort of residents Michigan leaders want to attract.

And that’s despite a robust economy. So what’s going on?

One obvious issue: Births in Michigan are down to their lowest level since 1941, while deaths are increasing. Last year, there were only 13,500 more births than deaths, nearly half of what it was as recently as 2012.