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Economic indicators

We are the world’s most trusted, impartial source of comprehensive data about the U.S. economy. Every five years the Census Bureau conducts an Economic Census and Census of Governments, in addition to more than 100 other surveys conducted monthly, quarterly, or annually.

From these censuses and surveys 13 economic indicators are produced, serving as the foundation for gross domestic product (GDP). Produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP data is ranked as one of the three most influential economic measures that affect U.S. financial markets.

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Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Q4 and Annual 2019 GDP: Economy Grows 2.3% in 2019

Press releases
Today, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the fourth quarter and annual gross domestic product (GDP) numbers. The Bureau found that the real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 2.1 percent in the fourth quarter and 2.3 percent for all of 2019, continuing to beat expectations. “Since the beginning of this Administration, critics have predicted...
Economic indicators

BEA Reports 17 of 22 Industry Groups Contributed to the 2.1 Percent Increase in Real GDP in 3rd Quarter.

Blog
BEA Graphic on Real GDP and Real Value Added by Sector
Nondurable goods manufacturing; retail trade; and professional, scientific, and technical services were the leading contributors to the increase in U.S. economic growth in the third quarter of 2019, according to gross domestic product (GDP) by industry statistics released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Both private services- and goods-producing industries contributed to the increase; the...
Economic indicators

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Concludes Successful 2019

Press releases
Throughout 2019, under the leadership of Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, the U.S. Department of Commerce and thousands of its employees worked together to maintain the safety of American citizens, fuel the continuing economic revival, and produce new data products while preparing for the 2020 Decennial Census. “During the past year, the work of the Department has proven to be essential to...
2020 Census
Economic indicators
Export and investment promotion
Investing in communities and workers
Trade enforcement
Exports
Broadband
Commercial space
Satellites
Countervailing duty [CVD]
Antidumping [AD]
Spectrum management

Measuring the Value of the U.S. Space Economy

Blog
The President’s National Strategy for Space establishes forthrightly that securing the scientific, commercial, and national security benefits of space is a top priority for this Administration (Credit: U.S. State Department).
The Space Economy Satellite Account (SESA) is a new, collaborative effort to measure the relative importance of the space sector on the U.S. economy, with a special emphasis on the growing commercial space segment. This new account is part of the economic satellite accounts produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). A satellite account refers to statistics that complement BEA's official U...
Economic indicators
Space commerce
Satellites

U.S. Economy Increases at a 2.1% Pace in the Third Quarter

Blog
BEA Graphic on Real GDP: Percent Change from Preceding Quarter
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 2.1 percent in the third quarter of 2019, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The growth rate was unrevised from the “second” estimate released in November. In the second quarter, real GDP rose 2.0 percent. GDP highlights The third-quarter increase in real GDP reflected increases in consumer spending, government...
Economic indicators

Top 5 Commerce Blogs of 2019

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Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton at the 2019 SelectUSA Summit
This past year, the Commerce Department and its diverse bureaus and agencies were active in promoting job creation and economic growth, ensuring fair and reciprocal trade, leveling the playing field for American workers, and providing critical economic data to policymakers and the public. To close out the year, we have put together a list of our top blogs for 2019. This past year, our readers top...
2020 Census
Economic indicators
Export and investment promotion
Trade enforcement
Broadband
SelectUSA Investment Summit

BEA Releases First Official Release of Gross Domestic Product by County

Blog
BEA Graphic on Percent Change in Real GDP by County, 2018
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 2,375 counties, decreased in 717, and was unchanged in 21 in 2018, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The percentage change in real GDP ranged from 86.5 percent in Jackson County, WV, to -44.0 percent in Grant County, ND. GDP is the value of goods and services produced within a county. The size of a...
Economic indicators

BEA to Release First Official GDP Estimates for More than 3,000 Counties and 34 Industries

Blog
Bureau of Economic Analysis Graphic on Using County Data
The size of every county’s economy with industry detail will be officially released for the first time by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on Dec. 12. BEA will estimate annual gross domestic product, or GDP, for the years 2001 through 2018 for more than 3,000 counties. The data will include contributions to GDP by 34 industries, such as manufacturing, retail trade, and health and social...
Economic indicators

Travel and Tourism Sector Supports 7.8 Million Jobs and Accounts for 2.8% of U.S GDP in 2018

Blog
Travel and Tourism Industry Grows in 2018
The travel and tourism industry—as measured by the real output of goods and services sold directly to visitors—increased 4.2 percent in 2018, according to the most recent statistics from the Travel and Tourism Satellite Account (TTSA) published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). This is an acceleration from the 2.3 percent growth in 2017. These new statistics show growth in the travel and...
Economic indicators
Travel and tourism

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Q3 2019 GDP Growth: U.S. Economy Grows 1.9 Percent in Third Quarter

Press releases
Today, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the third quarter GDP growth number for 2019. The Bureau found that real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 1.9 percent in the third quarter. “Today’s report shows that the U.S. economy continues its steady growth in defiance of media skeptics calling for a recession,” said Secretary of Commerce...
Economic indicators