Overview of the U.S. Economy: Perspective from the BEA Accounts

Next release: February 26, 2010

Quarterly data: Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, (that is, from the third quarter to the fourth quarter), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the third quarter, real GDP increased 2.2 percent.

Next release: March 1, 2010

Monthly data: In December 2009, real disposable personal income increased 0.3 percent.

Annual Data: Downturns in manufacturing, retail trade, and finance and insurance industries were the leading contributors to the slowdown in U.S. economic growth in 2008, according to preliminary statistics on the breakout of real gross domestic product (GDP) by industry from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The economic slowdown was widespread: nearly two-thirds of private industries contributed to the deceleration in real GDP growth.

Next release: Next release: March 18, 2010

Quarterly data: The U.S. current-account deficit increased $10.1 billion to $108.0 billion (preliminary) in the third quarter of 2009.

Annual data: The U.S. net international investment position at yearend 2008 was -$3,469.2 billion (preliminary), as the value of foreign investments in the United States exceeded the value of U.S. investments abroad.

Next release: February 10, 2010

Monthly data: Total November exports of $138.2 billion and imports of $174.6 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $36.4 billion.

Next release: November 2010

Annual Data: New statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show that economic growth slowed in most states and regions of the U.S. in 2008 as economic growth overall slowed. Real GDP growth slowed in 38 states, with downturns in construction, manufacturing, and finance and insurance restraining growth in many states.

Next release: February 2011

Annual data: New statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show that the slowdown in U.S. economic growth was widespread: 60 percent of metropolitan areas saw economic growth slow down or reverse. Real GDP growth slowed in 220 of the nation's 366 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in 2008 with downturns in construction, manufacturing, and finance and insurance restraining growth in many metropolitan areas. Growth in real U.S. GDP by metropolitan area slowed from 2.0 percent in 2007 to 0.8 percent in 2008.

Next release: March 25, 2010

Quarterly data: State personal income growth averaged 0.3 percent in the third quarter of 2009 with 19 states seeing net earnings growth for the first time in at least a year.

Annual data: Personal income growth slowed in 2008 in most of the nation’s metropolitan statistical areas.

Annual data: The percent change from 2006 to 2007 in county personal income ranged from -11 percent in McPherson County, Nebraska to 88 percent in Campbell County, South Dakota.

Annual data: Compensation grew in over 80 percent of the 3,112 counties in the U.S., as the average annual compensation per job in the U.S. grew by 2.6 percent to $56,116.