United States Economy At A Glance U S Bureau Of Labor Statistics

Leo Migdal
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united states economy at a glance u s bureau of labor statistics

BEA produces some of the most closely watched economic statistics that influence decisions of government officials, business people, and individuals. These statistics provide a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of the U.S. economy. The data on this page are drawn from featured BEA economic accounts. A quarterly review finds that the U.S. economy’s increasingly K-shaped nature is making American consumption patterns uneven and unpredictable.

Despite continued growth, this and several other data points suggest a precarious economic situation could soon emerge. Expert Brief by Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and Maximilian Hippold Roger W. Ferguson Jr.

is the Steven A. Tananbaum Distinguished Fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. Maximilian Hippold is a research associate for international economics at CFR. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended after weeks of political gridlock, but the impasse has already taken a toll on the U.S. economy.

Federal employees and contractors missed paychecks, and many working-class Americans started to feel the effect of reduced funding for social programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The shutdown also generated a range of indirect costs: Farmers who depend on government data to plan crops or businesses awaiting federal loans and work visas all faced disruptions and the postponed publication of... Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies The U.S. economy in 2025 is marked by a period of steady recovery, strategic adaptation, and cautious optimism. Following a volatile decade of global disruptions, inflationary pressures, and workforce realignments, the American economic engine is demonstrating resilience.

Unemployment has stabilized around 4.1%, and inflation is moderating, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising just 2.4% year-over-year. The labor market continues to support job seekers with consistent employment growth, while sectors like state government and health care emerge as reliable job creators. Wage and compensation growth are also keeping pace, ensuring that American workers benefit from real income gains amid a temperate inflationary climate. Meanwhile, broader economic indicators—including GDP projections, PCE inflation, and benefit cost growth—underscore a stable, cautiously expanding economy. With GDP forecasted to grow between 2.9–3.2%, the Federal Reserve’s soft-landing efforts appear to be taking hold. Employers are responding by enhancing compensation beyond base salaries, contributing to a 3.6% annual rise in total compensation.

As the U.S. economy adapts to ongoing global and domestic shifts, it remains anchored by strong consumer demand, favorable labor trends, and responsive monetary policies—setting the tone for sustainable progress in the years ahead. The data presented above reflects the most recent official statistics from U.S. government agencies, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the American economy’s current performance. These figures demonstrate a labor market that continues to operate near full employment levels, with unemployment remaining below historical averages while wage growth keeps pace with or exceeds inflation rates. The 4.1 percent unemployment rate represents stability in employment conditions, while the 2.4 percent inflation rate indicates that price pressures have moderated from previous peaks.

Compensation trends reveal positive momentum for American workers, with total compensation rising 3.6 percent annually, driven by both wage increases of 3.5 percent and benefit cost growth of 3.8 percent. This balanced growth pattern suggests that employers are competing for talent through comprehensive compensation packages rather than relying solely on base salary increases. The 147,000 jobs added in June 2025 represents continued expansion in the labor market, though at a more measured pace than the rapid growth seen in previous recovery periods. The employment landscape in the United States during 2025 reflects a mature labor market operating at near-optimal capacity. The 4.1 percent unemployment rate has remained within a narrow band of 4.0 to 4.2 percent since May 2024, indicating remarkable stability in employment conditions. This consistency suggests that the labor market has reached a sustainable equilibrium where job seekers can find employment while employers can fill positions, though competitive pressures remain for skilled workers.

An official website of the United States government The U.S. goods and services trade deficit decreased in August 2025 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $78.2 billion in July (revised) to $59.6 billion in August, as exports increased and imports decreased.

The goods deficit decreased $18.1 billion in August to $85.6 billion. The services surplus increased $0.5 billion in August to $26.1 billion. For 2024, U.S. exports of services were $1,152.7 billion, and U.S. imports of services were $840.9 billion. For 2023—the latest year for which statistics are available—services supplied to foreign persons through foreign affiliates of U.S.

multinational enterprises (MNEs) were $2,201.8 billion, and services supplied to U.S. persons through U.S. affiliates of foreign MNEs were $1,586.6 billion. Affiliates supplied most of the services provided to foreign persons by the United States and to U.S. persons by foreign markets in 2023. SUITLAND, Md.

– The following updates to BEA’s post-shutdown economic release schedule are currently available: Gross Domestic Product by County and Personal Income by County, 2024 will be released on Feb. 5, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. These data were originally scheduled for release on Dec. 3.

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