EconoFact

The Uneven Economy | Econofact Chats Heather Long and John Hilsenrath discuss the uneven economic recovery since COVID, and America's transition from manufacturing and services, to a tech and information driven economy.

Heather Long and John Hilsenrath join EconoFact Chats to discuss the uneven economic recovery since COVID:
econofact.org/podcast/the-...

What is behind rising costs of eldercare in the U.S.? And what are its repercussions?
econofact.org/the-rising-b...

China’s Export Dominance: A Sign of Both Economic Strength and Weakness | Econofact Chinese dependence on manufacturing as an engine of growth has increased, as resistance to Chinese imports is growing abroad and domestic demand remains low.

There is a growing acknowledgement within Chinese policy circles that the economy’s reliance on manufacturing investment and exports is politically and economically unsustainable.
econofact.org/chinas-expor...

Tracking the AI Boom: Some Lessons From Economic History | Econofact While each cycle is different, history suggests some helpful signals to watch for as the AI boom continues to evolve in order to anticipate how it may end up.

A boom in AI has accounted for a significant share of recent US economic growth. econofact.org/tracking-the...

How Tighter Curbs on Immigration Impact the U.S. Economy | Econofact Immigration has accounted for almost half of U.S. labor force growth since 1995. Slower labor force growth would negatively impact employment and GDP growth.

Recent government policies have aimed at drastically curtailing the inflow of immigrants and increasing the outflows of foreign-born persons. These could have adverse economic consequences over both the short-term and the long-term. econofact.org/how-tighter-...

The Impact of the Trade War on Canada | Econofact Canada’s economy is highly vulnerable to trade disruptions with the U.S., and has limited scope for enacting retaliatory tariffs.

The importance of trade for Canada’s economy and the degree to which this depends on trade with the United States, mean that its economy is particularly vulnerable to U.S. tariff hikes and that its scope for effective unilateral retaliation is limited. econofact.org/the-impact-o...

Tracking the AI Boom: Some Lessons From Economic History | Econofact While each cycle is different, history suggests some helpful signals to watch for as the AI boom continues to evolve in order to anticipate how it may end up.

Previous episodes of technology-driven investment booms suggest different scenarios for how the AI boom could play out over the next few years. econofact.org/tracking-the...

Can the U.S. Reduce Its Reliance on Imported Rare Earth Elements? | Econofact The U.S. depends on China for rare earth components in many military and high-tech products. Building an alternative rare earth supply chain is years away.

Dependence on China for rare earth elements remains a vulnerability in the manufacturing supply chains for military and high technology products. econofact.org/can-the-u-s-...

The Rising Costs of Housing | Econofact Chats A discussion with Jeff Zabel on the costs of housing, and policies that can help alleviate housing unaffordability.

What’s driving the increase in the cost of housing? What policies could help alleviate the challenge of housing unaffordability? Jeff Zabel (Tufts) joined EconoFact Chats to discuss these and other questions on housing in America. econofact.org/podcast/the-...

The Mystery of the Declining U.S. Birth Rate | Econofact The U.S. birth rate has fallen by 20% since 2007. If sustained, this could impact economic growth, productivity, and social insurance programs down the line.

The U.S. birth rate has fallen by 20% since 2007. This decline cannot be explained by demographic, economic, or policy changes. econofact.org/the-mystery-...

Immigrant Deportations: Trends and Impacts | Econofact Research on previous episodes of increased immigration enforcement sheds light on the impact deportations can have on labor markets, crime, and civic life.

Deportations, even on a comparatively modest scale, have direct economic consequences as workers are removed. One study finds that deporting 500,000 immigrants reduced the employment of an estimated 44,000 US-born people. econofact.org/immigrant-de...

The United States’ Fiscal Policy in a Global Context | Econofact Public debt in the United States is projected to rise faster and reach higher levels than in most other advanced economies.

With continued high fiscal deficits likely for the foreseeable future, public debt in the United States is projected to rise faster and reach higher levels than in most other advanced economies. econofact.org/the-united-s...

The Economic Costs of Brexit on the UK | Econofact Brexit has had a substantial economic impact on the United Kingdom, with adverse effects on investment, productivity, employment, and growth.

Nearly a decade on, @nickbloom.bsky.social, Paul Mizen and Gregory Thwaites assess the economic impact of Brexit. Their findings show that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK's GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time.
econofact.org/the-economic...

Is There an Affordability Crisis? | Econofact Chats Jason Furman notes that affordability isn't necessarily worse now than a year or two, or even decades ago. But there are real concerns too.

On the latest episode of EconoFact Chats, @jasonfurman.bsky.social notes that affordability in the US isn't necessarily worse now than a year or two, or even decades ago. But there are real concerns.
econofact.org/podcast/is-t...

Lessons from a Decade into Brexit | Econofact Chats Nick Bloom on the consequences of Brexit, and what it can tell us about nations seeking to disengage from the global economy today.

In the latest episode of EFChats, @nickbloom.bsky.social
(Stanford) discusses his recent research on the consequences of Brexit. econofact.org/podcast/less...

Is the Dollar Losing Its Edge? | Econofact Global investors typically flock to dollar-denominated assets when economic uncertainty spikes. That has not been the case lately.

A move away from dollar dominance would erode the considerable economic, financial and geopolitical benefits that the US has gained from being the issuer of the world’s dominant currency. econofact.org/is-the-dolla...

The United States’ Fiscal Policy in a Global Context | Econofact Public debt in the United States is projected to rise faster and reach higher levels than in most other advanced economies.

While its dominant position in global financial markets has meant that the United States has been able to run large deficits and sustain high and rising public debt with no evident signs of debt distress, this does not mean such spending is cost free. econofact.org/the-united-s...

The Impact of the Trade War on Canada | Econofact Canada’s economy is highly vulnerable to trade disruptions with the U.S., and has limited scope for enacting retaliatory tariffs.

The importance of trade for Canada’s economy and the degree to which this depends on trade with the United States, mean that its economy is particularly vulnerable to U.S. tariff hikes and that its scope for effective unilateral retaliation is limited.
econofact.org/the-impact-o...

Immigrant Deportations: Trends and Impacts | Econofact Research on previous episodes of increased immigration enforcement sheds light on the impact deportations can have on labor markets, crime, and civic life.

What impact can increased deportations have on labor markets, crime, and broader civic life?
econofact.org/immigrant-de...

China’s Export Dominance: A Sign of Both Economic Strength and Weakness | Econofact Chinese dependence on manufacturing as an engine of growth has increased, as resistance to Chinese imports is growing abroad and domestic demand remains low.

How might China's reliance on exports be both a blessing and a curse? In our latest memo, @hotpotwhynot.bsky.social and Houze Song explain.
econofact.org/chinas-expor...

Why Has the Price of Gold Risen So Sharply? | Econofact Gold has a long history of being held as a financial asset by private investors and central banks, which can be the source of large shifts in its price.

Why has the price of gold risen so sharply? Charles Collyns and @mwkleinphd.bsky.social explain: econofact.org/why-has-the-...

Does International Trade Hurt the United States? | Econofact The U.S. has been running a trade deficit every year since 1975. However, both exports and imports have more than doubled since the beginning of this period.

An aggregate trade deficit is not by itself evidence of economic weakness. In fact, there have been times when stronger GDP growth is associated with increasing trade deficits. econofact.org/does-interna...

The Erosion of Central Bank Independence | Econofact Legal independence for central banks has increased around the world. But it is not a one-way road. What conditions lead to an erosion of autonomy?

The trend towards increased legal independence for central banks has been met with near-unanimous approval by economists, as independence insulates the central bank from pressure to stimulate the economy for political gain, which eventually tends to increase inflation. econofact.org/the-erosion-...

Fewer US Homes Are Insured Against Floods, Even as Risks Are Rising | Econofact The US's main source of flood insurance has undergone the biggest reform since it inception. Will it help reduce Americans’ financial exposure to flooding?

A reform of the US's main source of residential flood insurance is changing the price of premiums, impacting take up and coverage. More in this memo by Francesc Ortega and Ivan Petkov
econofact.org/fewer-us-hom...

The Uncertain and Uneven Economy | Econofact Chats Mark Zandi discusses the state of the economy, focusing on consumer sentiment, Fed Independence, and likely trends in inflation, unemployment, and GDP growth in early 2026.

@markzandi.bsky.social joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the state of the economy, focusing on consumer sentiment, Fed Independence, and likely trends in inflation, unemployment, and GDP growth in early 2026.
econofact.org/podcast/the-...

The Potential for State Policies to Improve Child Food Insecurity | Econofact State minimum wage and refundable state earned income tax credit (EITC) policies can reduce food insecurity among economically at-risk households with children.

How can state-level policies reduce food insecurity?
econofact.org/the-potentia...

Graphic detailing a larger "2X" meaning "twice" on the left-hand side, and "Food insecurity rates in U.S. households with children average at least twice as high among Black and Hispanic families when compared to White ones" on the right-hand side.

Food insecurity rates in U.S. households with children average at least twice as high among Black and Hispanic families when compared to White ones.

Read more ➡️ econofact.org/the-pandemic...

Are Tariffs Raising U.S. Retail Prices? | Econofact Prices of over 350,000 products at major U.S. retailers show a slow and gradual pass-through of tariffs to consumers. Both imports and U.S.-made goods are affected.

Are tariffs raising US retail prices? Recent data indicates goods prices have indeed been increasing in response to tariffs, although the magnitude of price increases remains modest relative to the announced tariff rates. econofact.org/are-tariffs-...

The Lasting Scars From Graduating in a Recession | Econofact Graduating college in a downturn can have lasting career impacts. Worsening trends for new graduates raise concerns for those graduating in the COVID recession.

Recent college graduates starting out their professional careers are particularly vulnerable to economic conditions. Young workers graduating into a recession face worse employment prospects relative to peers who graduated just before or after the recession. econofact.org/the-lasting-...

Why Has the US Homeless Population Been Rising? | Econofact In 2024, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the United States on a single night was the highest since survey records began. Why is this?

While individuals may become homeless for many reasons, overall variations in homelessness are closely associated with the availability of affordable housing. Charles Collyns (EconoFact) explains why the US homeless population has been rising: econofact.org/why-has-the-...