12/15/21, 4:55 PM Key Economic Growth Indicators - CNN Business

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DOW +1.08% The US economy in 12 charts

S&P 500 +1.63% From jobs to GDP, these key indicators provide a comprehensive, up-
to-date picture of the US Economy.
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Key Economic Growth Indicators

CNN Business tracks key economic indicators to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of the US Economy. Data on
this dashboard is refreshed automatically.

US payrolls
One of the most important measures of the economy, this number tells us how many jobs employers added each month. In a healthy economy, the US
typically needs to add 100,000 to 150,000 jobs each month to keep up with population growth.

150M
Nov 1, 2021
148.6M
145M

140M

135M

130M
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Monthly change, seasonally adjusted

Source: US Bureau of Labor statistics via FRED
Data as of December 03, 2021

Unemployment rate
The unemployment rate is a key measure of pain in the job market. It counts workers who were unable to find a job even though they actively searched
for one in the last four weeks, as percentage of the broader labor force.

14.0%

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12.0%

10.0%

8.0%

6.0%

Nov 1, 2021
4.0%
4.2%
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Seasonally adjusted

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED
Data as of December 03, 2021

Real gross domestic product

The broadest measure of economic activity — gross domestic product — measures the value of the goods and services produced in the country. It helps
us understand the size of the economy and how it’s performing.

$19.5T Q3, 2021

$19.5T

$19.0T

$18.5T

$18.0T

$17.5T

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Seasonally adjusted, chained 2012 dollars

Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis via FRED
Data as of November 24, 2021

Debt-to-GDP
The debt-to-GDP ratio is a key measure of the government’s financial obligations. It measures how much money the federal government has borrowed
from outside lenders, relative to the size of the country’s economy. As the ratio rises, it could be harder for the government to service its debt and afford
future increases in spending.

110%

100%

Q3, 2021
96.19%
90%

80%

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70% LIVE TV
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Percent of GDP, seasonally adjusted

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis via FRED
Data as of December 02, 2021

Consumer spending
Real personal consumption expenditures, also known as consumer spending, measures how much Americans spend on goods and services, adjusted for
inflation. It’s an important measure because consumer spending is the biggest driver of US economic growth.

$14.0T
Oct 1, 2021
$13.9T
$13.5T

$13.0T

$12.5T

$12.0T

$11.5T

$11.0T

$10.5T
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Seasonally adjusted, chained 2012 dollars

Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis via FRED
Data as of November 24, 2021

Consumer price index (CPI)

What’s the value of a US dollar? The Consumer Price Index is helpful in answering that question because it measures how prices change over time. It’s a
key measure of inflation, calculated to include housing, food, gas, transportation and a wide range of other goods and services.

7.0% Nov 1, 2021

6.88%
6.0%

5.0%

4.0%

3.0%

2.0%

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1.0%
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0.0%
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Percent change from year ago, seasonally adjusted

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED
Data as of December 10, 2021

10-year US Treasury rate

Movements in the 10-year Treasury rate can have a direct impact on consumers, influencing rates on mortgages, auto loans, student loans and credit
cards. It’s also a key barometer of investor confidence. When investors expect stronger economic growth ahead, the 10-year rate will often rise. When
they expect slow growth and low inflation, the rate will fall.

3.0%

2.5%

2.0%

1.5% Dec 10, 2021

1.48%

1.0%

0.5%
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Not seasonally adjusted

Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (US) via FRED
Data as of December 15, 2021

30-year fixed mortgage rate

For most Americans, buying a home is the single largest purchase in a lifetime. The 30-mortgage rate tells us about the cost of borrowing to buy a home.
It often falls when the economy is weak — in part because of the Federal Reserve’s efforts to stimulate the economy — and it usually rises when the
economy is expected to strengthen.

5.00%

4.50%

4.00%

3.50%

Dec 9, 2021
3.00% 3.10%

2.50%
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Not seasonally adjusted

Source: Freddie Mac via FRED
Data as of December 09, 2021

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Housing starts
Housing starts are considered a “leading indicator,” signaling where the economy might be headed in the future. This measure counts the number of
new homes or apartments being built every month, as construction crews break ground.

1.8M

1.6M
Oct 1, 2021
1.5M
1.4M

1.2M

1.0M

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Units, seasonally adjusted annual rate

Source: US Census Bureau via FRED
Data as of November 17, 2021

S&P/Case-Shiller US national home price index

This index tracks home values through purchase prices of existing single-family homes. It’s an important indicator of the wealth of Americans since, for
most families, a home is their single most valuable asset.

280
Sep 1, 2021
271.18
260

240

220

200

180
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Note: Index Jan 2000=100, not seasonally adjusted

Source: S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC via FRED
Data as of November 30, 2021

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