U.S. Economy at a Glance: Perspective from the BEA Accounts
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.
National Economic Accounts:
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Current Numbers:
- 2nd quarter 2012: 1.3 percent
- 1st quarter 2012: 2.0 percent
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 1.3 percent in the second quarter of 2012 (that is, from the first quarter to the second quarter), according to the "third" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 2.0 percent.
Next release:
October 26, 2012
Personal Income
Current Numbers:
- August 2012: 0.1 percent (personal income)
- July 2012: 0.1 percent (personal income)
Next release:
October 29, 2012
Monthly data:
In August 2012, real disposable personal income decreased 0.3 percent.
Industry Economic Accounts:
Annual Industry Accounts: GDP by Industry
Annual Data:
Durable-goods manufacturing, professional, scientific, and technical
services, and information services were the leading contributors to U.S. economic
growth in 2011, according to advance statistics on the breakout of real gross
domestic product (GDP) by industry from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Annual Growth in Real GDP
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Annual Percent Changes in Value Added Prices
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Annual Percent Changes in Value Added Prices
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International Economic Accounts:
U.S. Balance of Payments (International Transactions)
Current Account Balance:
- 2nd quarter 2012: -$117.4 billion
- 1st quarter 2012: -$133.6 billion
Next release:
December 18, 2012
Quarterly
data:
The U.S. current-account deficit decreased $16.2 billion to $117.4 billion (preliminary) in the second quarter of 2012.
International Investment Position
Annual data:
The U.S. net international investment position at yearend 2011 was -$4,030.3 billion (preliminary), as the value of foreign investment in the United States exceeded the value of U.S. investment abroad.
International Trade in Goods and Services
Trade Balance:
- August 2012: -$44.2 billion
- July 2012: -$42.5 billion
Next release:
November 8, 2012
Monthly:
Total August exports of $181.3 billion and imports of $225.5 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $44.2 billion.
Regional Economic Accounts:
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by State
Next release:
June 2013
Annual Data:
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 43 states and the District of Columbia in 2011, according to new statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that breakdown GDP by state. Durable-goods manufacturing, professional, scientific, and technical services, and information services were the leading contributors to real U.S. economic growth. U.S. real GDP by state grew 1.5 percent in 2011 after a 3.1 percent increase in 2010.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Metropolitan Area
Annual data:
Real U.S. GDP by metropolitan area increased 2.5 percent in 2010 after declining 2.5 percent in 2009, according to new statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The economic growth was widespread as real GDP increased in 304 of 366 (83 percent) metropolitan areas, led by national growth in durable-goods manufacturing, trade, and financial activities.
State Personal Income (SPI)
Next release:
December 19, 2012
Quarterly data:
State personal income growth slowed to 1.0 percent in the second quarter of 2012, from 1.7 percent in the first quarter.
Local Area Personal Income
Annual data:
Among large counties (those with a population of at least 250,000), personal income grew 3.7 percent in 2010, equaling the growth rate for the nation. Personal income in small and medium-sized counties grew 3.9 percent and 3.6 percent respectively in 2010.
County Estimates of Compensation by Industry, 2008-2010
Annual data:
Compensation increased in 2,480 counties and declined in 633 counties in the U.S. in 2010, as the average annual compensation per job increased 2.7 percent to $58,451. Total compensation of U.S. workers increased 2.2 percent in 2010, as net job losses partially offset compensation growth.
