Economy articles
What does the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) do?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is an independent agency responsible for consumer protection in the financial sector. The bureau's primary mission is to ensure that markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans. The CFPB enforces federal consumer financial laws, supervises financial institutions, and educates consumers to make informed financial decisions. It was established in 2010 as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
What does the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) do?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a subdivision of the US Department of Labor responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. The agency collects, analyzes, and disseminates essential economic information to support public and private decision-making. It also conducts research and provides data on employment, unemployment, inflation, productivity, and other economic indicators. It was established in 1884.
What is the federal poverty level?
The federal poverty guidelines — also known as the federal poverty level (FPL) — are used by federal agencies to determine eligibility for programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These guidelines are issued annually by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and are based on the official poverty thresholds calculated by the Census Bureau. They set the income limits for many need-based programs, helping determine who qualifies for assistance. While the thresholds are more detailed and used for statistical measurement of poverty, the FPL is a simplified version designed for administrative purposes. The guidelines are adjusted for inflation each year and vary by household size.
What does the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) do?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a subdivision of the US Department of Transportation responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation in the United States. The agency's primary mission is to ensure the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system. It sets and enforces regulations for aircraft manufacturing and operation, certifies airmen and airports, and manages air traffic control. The FAA also conducts research to improve aviation safety and efficiency, and collaborates with international aviation authorities. It was established in 1958, originally called the Federal Aviation Agency.
What is the homeownership rate in the US?
The homeownership rate in the US was 65.2% in 2025. That means about 2 in 3 households owned their home while the remainder rented.
How long do people wait for subsidized housing in the United States?
Two years and three months, on average, in 2024. That’s an 8% increase since 2023, when recipients spent two years and one month on waiting lists before moving in to subsidized housing.
What is the unemployment rate in the US right now?
Unemployment was at 4.3% in March 2026. That's a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the prior month. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It's a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy.
How many people are laid off in the United States each month?
About 1.72 million in February 2026. This includes all terminations of employment by an employer — called layoffs and discharges — such as permanent layoffs, temporary layoffs, and terminations because of mergers, downsizing, closings, or employee performance.
What are the biggest drivers of inflation in the past year?
Housing was the main driver of inflation from March 2025 to March 2026. As of March 2026, overall prices increased 3.3% over the previous year. Of this, 1.5 percentage points came from price increases in housing, or about one-half of it.The inflation rate is calculated using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the price changes of a consistent basket of goods and services over time. Each item in this basket is given a weight that reflects how much the average urban household spends on it. Items with higher weights, like shelter, tend to have a larger impact on the overall inflation rate than other categories. By examining the price changes across different categories, we can better understand the factors contributing to the current inflation rate.
What is the current inflation rate in the US?
The inflation rate was 3.3%, as of March 2026. Inflation refers to the rise in prices of goods and services over time, which reduces the purchasing power of the dollar. The inflation rate is the percentage that describes how quickly these prices are rising. While several government datasets track price changes, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) represents about 90% of the US population. The CPI measures inflation by tracking the price fluctuations of a “basket of goods and services” over time, providing a clear picture of how inflation affects everyday living expenses.
How many job openings are there in the US?
About 6.88 million, as of February 2026. The number of job openings decreased by 360,000 from February 2025. A “job opening” is defined as a position open on the last business day of the month. To be considered “open,” a job must meet three conditions: (1) There’s work available for the position; (2) The job could start within 30 days; and (3) The employer is actively recruiting.
What is the gross domestic product (GDP) in the US?
The gross domestic product (GDP) was $24.1 trillion in Q4 2025. GDP measures the value of goods and services a country or state produces — it’s the sum of consumer spending, business investment, government spending, and net exports. It is often used to quantify the size of its economy. The $24.1 trillion is the “real GDP,” which is adjusted to account for inflation to make it easier to compare the size of an economy over time.
Are wages keeping up with inflation?
Yes. From March 2025 to March 2026, wages grew 0.26 percentage points faster than inflation. Nominal wages — the literal dollars earned regardless of cost of living — increased by 3.5% while inflation stood at 3.3%. When wage growth outpaces inflation, it indicates that workers are experiencing an increase in purchasing power from the previous year.
What is the labor force participation rate in the US?
It was 62% in February 2026. The labor force participation rate measures the percent of people ages 16 and older engaged in the labor market, including those who are working or who are unemployed but actively looking for a job.
What is the income of a US household?
The median household income in the US was $81,600 in 2024. Household income is the total money received in a year — wages, pensions, investments, public assistance, and more — by everyone in a household over 15.
How many civilian jobs are in the US federal government?
About 2.69 million, as of January 2026. Federal jobs include all jobs ranging from janitors to air traffic controllers to nurses to postal workers and more. (Enlisted service people are considered government employees but aren’t included in this figure because they’re not civilians.) Out of the 158.6 million nonfarm jobs in the US, 1.7% are in the federal government, the nation’s largest employer. Another way to look at it: The federal government is responsible for one in every 60 jobs.
How much debt does the average person in the US owe?
Around $63,300 as of the third quarter of 2025. Compared to the previous quarter (April through June 2025), the average adult owed $136 less after adjusting for inflation, reflecting slight shifts in household borrowing patterns. This debt, often referred to as “household debt,” represents the total amount owed by individuals for obligations such as mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and auto loans.
What is the gender pay gap in the US?
Women made about 81 cents for every dollar men made as of the third quarter of 2025. This means that men with full-time jobs typically make 24% more than women in full-time jobs. This ratio compares the median weekly pay of full-time workers—people who usually work 35 hours or more each week.
How much US government debt is owned by other countries?
As of June 2025, about 25.2% of US government debt, or $9.13 trillion, is owned by other countries. When the federal government spends more money than it collects in revenue, it sells US Treasury securities to bring in cash and pay for the difference. People, governments, corporations, and investment funds like retirement accounts — both US and international — can purchase these.
What is the average US tariff rate overall?
About 9.9% in January 2026. The average effective tariff rate shows how much the US collects in customs duties as a percentage of the total value of imported goods. However, imports may have different tariff rates (or none at all) depending on factors like country of origin, product type, trade agreements, and much more.