EconoFact

Covering What Matters in Economic Journalism | Econofact Chats Heather Long reflects on her career as an economic journalist, highlighting her efforts to look beyond broad statistics to get deeper insights on the state of the economy.

Heather Long (Navy Federal Credit Union) reflects on her career as an economic journalist, highlighting her efforts to look beyond broad statistics to get a more nuanced and deeper insight into the state of the economy econofact.org/podcast/cove...

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 US birth rate has been declining for nearly a decade, with no clear link to demographic, economic, or policy changes. Melissa Kearney, Philip Levine, and Luke Pardue explore what’s driving this trend, and why it’s unlikely to reverse anytime soon. econofact.org/the-mystery-...

Leaning on the Fed (Updated) | Econofact The independence of the Federal Reserve helps to ensure that it can make politically difficult decisions that are in the long-run best interest of the economy.

"The independence of the Federal Reserve helps to ensure that it can make politically difficult decisions that are in the long-run best interest of the economy," says Professor @mwkleinphd.bsky.social of @econofact.bsky.social.

econofact.org/leaning-on-t...

The Cost of Financing U.S. Government Debt | Econofact The relatively short maturity structure of US government debt means that increases in interest rates translate rapidly into higher interest costs.

Interest payments on the national debt are now bigger than spending on national defense. @dbergstresser.bsky.social in @econofact.bsky.social explains the sources of the increase in the interest burden of the debt & its maturity structure (and why that matters) econofact.org/the-cost-of-...

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.

"Can the U.S. reduce its reliance on imported rare earths? Crescencia Maurer and Sharon Squassoni explain why China’s dominance in rare earth refining keeps U.S. supply chains vulnerable, and why building domestic capacity could take years.
Read more: econofact.org/can-the-u-s-...

Leaning on the Fed (Updated) | Econofact The independence of the Federal Reserve helps to ensure that it can make politically difficult decisions that are in the long-run best interest of the economy.

Why does Fed independence matter? @mwkleinphd.bsky.social @fletcherschool.bsky.social shows that countries with politically insulated central banks enjoy lower inflation without higher unemployment.
econofact.org/leaning-on-t...

The Trump administration seeks tighter control of independent agencies. But, how immune is the Federal Reserve from political pressure? econofact.org/how-immune-i...

Understanding the Rise and Risks of Stablecoins | Econofact Chats A discussion with Udaibir Das on the potential benefits and risks of widespread adoption of stablecoins.

What are stablecoins? How are they beneficial? And what threats do they pose to consumer protection, financial stability, and monetary sovereignty? Udaibir Das of ORF explains econofact.org/podcast/unde...

India’s Path To Becoming One of the World’s Largest Economies | Econofact India is the fastest growing major economy in the world and it aims to reach high-income status by 2047. To do so, it must sustain strong growth over the next decades.

Can India reach high‑income status by 2047? Harald Finger & Nujin Suphaphiphat (The IMF) highlight that it will take ~8 % annual growth, lower trade barriers, modernized labor laws that expand formal jobs, and a durable increase in private investment econofact.org/indias-path-...

Dissecting the Budget Bill | Econofact Chats A discussion with Bill Gale, Co-Director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, on the 'Big Beautiful Budget Bill.'

How would the proposed budget bill affect taxes, spending, and the federal deficit? William Gale (Brookings Institute) explains why the plan would likely result in large cuts for high-income households while leaving many low-income households worse off. econofact.org/podcast/diss...

The Rise of Stablecoins and How to Regulate Them | Econofact Diverging approaches to regulating stablecoins risk fragmenting the global digital finance landscape.

A divide is emerging between US and Europe on Stablecoin regulation. US backs private sector innovation, Europe prioritizes monetary control. @udaibirdas.bsky.social (ORF America) notes this divergence could reshape global finance. econofact.org/the-rise-of-...

Are Americans Moving to Locations With Higher Climate Risk? | Econofact The increasing agglomeration of people and economic activity in high-risk areas of the U.S. plays a role in the rising cost of climate-related disasters.

"Are Americans moving away from areas with high climate risk, or towards them? Agustin Indaco, Francesc Ortega and Xinle Pang examine the impacts of climate change on housing.
Learn more: econofact.org/are-american... "

Throttling Back: The Long and Short-run Economic Effects of Continued Uncertainty | Econofact Chats A discussion with Mark Zandi on how continued uncertainty could affect the U.S. economy over the coming months, and over the longer term.

How do trade, spending cuts, and policy uncertainty affect growth? @markzandi.bsky.social of Moodys Analytics warns that while a recession isn't imminent, long-term U.S. growth could suffer.
Listen here: econofact.org/podcast/thro...

Facing the Social Security Shortfall (Updated) | Econofact If Social Security continues in its current trajectory — and no action is taken by Congress — it will only be able to cover 81% of promised benefits in 2034.

Social Security will only cover 81% of promised benefits by 2034 if no action is taken. @gsgoda.bsky.social @brookings.edu explains why there’s a funding gap and why addressing this shortfall now is crucial.
Learn More: econofact.org/facing-the-s...

The Consequences of Tighter Work Requirements for SNAP | Econofact Chats A discussion with Diane Schanzenbach on how stricter work mandates often push people off SNAP without pulling them into the labor market.

Do stricter work requirements help SNAP recipients find jobs or just reduce access to food support? Diane Schanzenbach of Northwestern University joined EconoFact Chats to discuss econofact.org/podcast/the-...

Opinion | The National Debt Is Already Causing Bigger Problems Than People Realize

@nytimes.com editorial board cited Michael Klein and Charles Collyns EconoFact memo on how global demand for U.S. Treasury debt depends on trust in the rule of law and stable governance. Read the piece here: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/o... and the memo here: econofact.org/is-the-dolla...

Opinion | The National Debt Is Already Causing Bigger Problems Than People Realize

The National Debt Is Already Causing Bigger Problems Than People Realize www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/o...
Nice shout out to my @econofact.bsky.social memo with Charles Collyns.

Opinion | The National Debt Is Already Causing Bigger Problems Than People Realize

I’m quoted in this @nytimes.com editorial and my @econofact.bsky.social memo with Charles Collyns is cited and linked. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/o...

Child Well-being in the United States | Econofact Chats A discussion with Leslie Boissiere of the Annie E. Casey Foundation on the 2025 Kids Count Data Book report.

Leslie Boissiere of the Annie E. Casey Foundation joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the 2025 Kids Count Data Book report on child well-being in the US. econofact.org/podcast/chil...

The dollar’s slide threatens your spending and savings in ways you wouldn’t expect. U.S. dollar dominance provides Americans with many special economic, financial and geopolitical benefits.

Professor @mwkleinphd.bsky.social of @econofact.bsky.social co-authored a piece on factors eroding the strength of the dollar, warning, "The dollar’s dominance should not be taken for granted." Read more in @marketwatch.com.

www.marketwatch.com/story/a-weak...

Facing the Social Security Shortfall (Updated) | Econofact If Social Security continues in its current trajectory — and no action is taken by Congress — it will only be able to cover 81% of promised benefits in 2034.

The economic reality is that there will have to be some kind of change with respect to the funding structure of Social Security in the next decade. @gsgoda.bsky.social @brookings.edu explains why: econofact.org/facing-the-s...

Foreign Students and U.S. Higher Education | Econofact Chats A discussion with Nathan Grawe on what the U.S. stands to gain and lose by limiting the number of foreign students in American colleges and universities.

Nathan Grawe from Carleton College joins EF Chats to discuss what the US stands to gain and lose by limiting the number of international students in US colleges and universities. econofact.org/podcast/fore...

The State of Health Insurance in America | Econofact The share of Americans without health insurance has fallen sharply and stands near an all-time low. But almost 26 million people continue to lack coverage.

Millions remain uninsured despite landmark reforms like the ACA. Mark Shepard of Harvard explains why getting to universal coverage within the current system remains a thorny challenge econofact.org/the-state-of...

I’m on the Econofacts podcast with @mwkleinphd.bsky.social this week. Give it a listen to hear about China and international debt. Stick to the end to hear Michael and me discuss the talent in the civil servants at Treasury and why they should be lifted up, not treated like they’re disposable.

The Role of America’s Top Financial Diplomat | Econofact Chats Jay Shambaugh, Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs in the Biden administration joins EconoFact Chats to discuss his time in office.

This week on EconoFact Chats, @jaycshambaugh.bsky.social, former Undersecretary of the Treasury discusses trade negotiations with China, foreign investment in sensitive technologies, and sovereign debt challenges. econofact.org/podcast/the-...

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.

Tara Watson of @brookings.edu highlights the economic, logistical, and social costs of ramping up deportations.
Learn more: econofact.org/immigrant-de...

How Do People’s Experiences of Inflation Differ? | Econofact Aggregated inflation data may not accurately represent the experiences of specific subgroups, such as low-income or rural families.

"Do official inflation stats reflect what people actually feel at the checkout line? Alberto Cavallo of Harvard Business School examines why aggregate inflation data may overlook the lived experiences of low-income and rural households.
Learn more: econofact.org/how-do-peopl...

Can Heightened Immigration Enforcement Increase Crime? | Econofact A program that increased deportations reduced the likelihood that Hispanic victims would report crimes to the police and increased crime in Hispanic communities

Does heightened immigration enforcement impact crime? Felipe Goncalves (UCLA), Elisa Jácome (Northwestern University) and Emily Weisburst (UCLA Luskin) explain that a fear of deportation can make victims of crime less likely to engage with law enforcement. econofact.org/can-heighten...

Steel Tariffs and U.S. Jobs Revisited | EconoFact The 2018 tariffs on steel may have led to an increase of 1,000 jobs in US steel production. However, they resulted in 75,000 fewer manufacturing jobs across firms where steel or aluminum are an input ...

2018 tariffs on steel may have led to an increase of 1,000 jobs in US steel production, yet resulted in 75,000 fewer manufacturing jobs across firms where steel or aluminum are inputs to production. Kadee Russ @ucdavis.bsky.social and Lydia Cox from UWMadison explain econofact.org/steel-tariff...

Since welfare reform in the mid-1990s, federal transfer programs provide very little by way of cash assistance to non-working adults.
econofact.org/welfare-and-...