Subject Guide for Economic Indicators
This page is intended to provide access to information about economic indicators. It does not list every source available, but rather includes a variety of print and web sources with information on these topics.
Contents
Starting Points
Indicators:
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Cost of Living
Discount Rate
Federal Deficit
Gross Domestic Product
Implicit Price Deflators for Gross Domestic Product
Index of Industrial Production
Labor Force
Per Capita Income
Prime Rate
Producer Price Index (PPI)
Unemployment Rate
Starting Points
These resources are good starting points for finding information about economic indicators. They contain information about many different indicators; some include historical information as well.
Economic Indicators 1948 - ongoing.
Provides a variety of current economic indicators including international statistics.
Location: Ref/US Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/ (earlier in Gov Pubs/US)
Dismal Scientist From
Dismal Sciences.
Includes current economic indicators, regional information, as well as economic forecasts and industry data.
Economic Statistics Briefing Room From the White House.
Provides access to current Federal economic indicators.
STAT-USA
Provides access to daily economic news, frequently requested statistical releases, the National Trade Date Bank (NTDB), the Commercial Service International
Contacts (CSIC), the Economic Bulletin Board (EBB) and Bureau of
Economic Analysis (BEA) information.
Statistical Abstract of the United States 1898 - ongoing.
Includes various statistics including some .
Location: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US)
U.S. Economic Indicators From the US Census Bureau.
Includes highlights from Census Bureau's latest economic indicators.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change in the prices paid by urban consumers for a fixed market basket of goods and services. It is not designed to compare the cost of living between places. For a more complete definition, see the Handbook of Methods from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE/NOTES** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963-1991 |
M= 1988-1991 A = 1963-1991 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Business Statistics of the United States 1995 |
M=1991-1994 A = 1966-1994 |
HC 101 .A13122 1999 Ref |
| CPI Detailed Report 1974 - |
M=last 4 months | L 2.38/3:(yr/mo) Gov Pubs/US |
| Consumer Price Indexes | M,A = various | From the Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Consumer Price Index | M,A=1994-most recent | From the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago |
| Consumer Price Index | M,A=1945-1993 | From the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
|
Economic Indicators 1995 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Economic Statistics Briefing Room (ESBR) | M=recent | From the White House |
| Monthly Labor Review 1918 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 9 years |
L 2.6: Gov Pubs/US |
| What is a dollar worth? | A=1913-recent | From the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Compares the value of the dollar between any two years using historical CPI data. |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Cost of Living
Cost of living measures included here are designed to compare the costs between places. They are not designed to compare costs over time. The Consumer Price Index is also used as a measure of the cost of living.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| ACCRA Cost of Living Index 1988 - |
Q=recent | HD6983 .I55 latest: Ref previous: book stacks |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
Q=recent | C 3.134 Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Discount Rate
The discount rate is the rate charged member banks when they borrow from the Federal Reserve on a short-term basis. For more information about this and related terms, see the Glossary from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963-1991 |
M= 1988-1991 A = 1963-1991 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Business Statistics of the United States 1995 |
M=1985-1994 A = 1966-1994 |
HC 101 .A13122 1995 Ref |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
W=last 6 weeks M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Discount Rate | 1914-present various dates |
From the Federal Reserve Bank of New York |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 8 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Federal Reserve Bulletin 1915 - |
various dates last 14 years |
FR 1.3: Gov Pubs/US |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
A=1980-recent | C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| Survey of Current Business 1921 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 2 years |
C 59.11: Gov Pubs/US |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Federal Deficit
An excess of goverment spending over government receipts.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963-1991 |
M= 1985-1988 Q=1957-1988 A = 1957-1988 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Business Statistics of the United States 1995 |
M=1991-1994 Q=1986-1994 A = 1966-1994 |
HC 101 .A13122 1995 Ref |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
A=last 20 years | Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
A=last 20 years | From GPO ACCESS |
| Historical Tables, Budget of the United States Goverment | A=1901-2002 +various |
PREX 2.8/8 latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
A=1972-recent +various |
C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Gross Domestic Product is a measure of the total production and consumption of goods and services in the U.S.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963 - 1991 |
M= 1960-1991 A = 1960-1991 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Business Statistics of the United States 1995 |
Q=1986-1994 A = 1966-1994 |
HC 101 .A13122 1995 Ref |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
Q=last 3 years A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
Q=last 3 years A=last 10 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Economic Statistics Briefing Room (ESBR) | Q,A=varies | From the White House |
| Federal Reserve Bulletin 1915 - |
Q=last 5 quarters A=last 4 years |
FR 1.3: Gov Pubs/US |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
A=1980-recent +various |
C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| Survey of Current Business 1932 - |
Q=1959-recent A=1959-recent |
C 59.11: Gov Pubs/US |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Implicit Price Deflators for Gross Domestic Product
GDP deflators measure inflation across all sectors of the economy. The implicit GDP deflator is the ratio of nominal GDP to real GDP.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
Q=last 3 years A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
Q=last 3 years A=last 10 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
A=1980-recent +various |
C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| Survey of Current Business 1932 - |
Q=1959-recent A=1959-recent |
C 59.11: Gov Pubs/US |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Index of Industrial Production
Index of Industrial Production (IP) is compiled by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and relflects levels of output for manufacturing, mining, and public utilities.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963-1991 |
M= 1988-1991 A = 1963-1991 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Federal Reserve Bulletin 1915 - |
M=last 13 months A=last year |
FR 1.3: Gov Pubs/US |
| Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization | M,A=varies | From the Federal Reserve Board |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
A=last 6 years +various |
C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Labor Force
The labor force includes all persons 16 years of age and older residing in the United States who are not inmates of institutions, and who are not on active duty in the Armed Forces. For more information about employment and the labor force, see How the Government Measures Unemployment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963 - 1991 |
M= 1963-1991 A = 1963-1991 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Business Statistics of the United States 1995 |
M=1967-1994 A = 1966-1994 |
HC 101 .A13122 1995 Ref |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 11 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 11 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Economic Statistics Briefing Room (ESBR) | M=recent | From the White House |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
various | C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Per Capita Income
Per capita income is the mean income computed for every man, woman, and child. It is derived by dividing the total income by the total population.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Economic Statistics Briefing Room (ESBR) | M=recent | From the White House |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
A=1960-recent | C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| Survey of Current Business 1932 - |
A=last 5 years | C 59.11: Gov Pubs/US |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Prime Rate
The prime rate is the most favorable interest rate charged by banks on short term loans to qualified customers.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963 - 1991 |
M= 1988-1991 A = 1963-1991 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Business Statistics of the United States 1995 |
M=1967-1994 A=1966-1994 |
HC 101 .A13122 1995 Ref |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
W=last 6 weeks M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
W=last 6 weeks M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Federal Reserve Bulletin 1915 - |
M=last 3 years A=last 3 years |
FR 1.3: Gov Pubs/US |
| Prime Rate | 1929-present various dates |
From the Federal Reserve Bank of New York |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
A=1980-recent | C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Producer Price Index (PPI)
The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures prices at the producer/manufacturing level only. The PPI shows the same general pattern of inflation as does the CPI, but is more volatile. For a more complete definition, see the Handbook of Methods from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963-1991 |
M= 1988-1991 A = 1963-1991 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Economy at a Glance | M=last 12 months | From the Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Monthly Labor Review 1918 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 9 years |
L 2.6: Gov Pubs/US |
| Producer Price Indexes | various dates | From the Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Producer Price Index (all items) |
1994-most recent | From the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago |
| Producer Price Index (all items) |
1948-1993 | From the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago |
| Producer Price Index (intermediate materials) |
1994-most recent | From the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago |
| Producer Price Index (intermediate materials) |
1948-1993 | From the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
A=1960-recent | C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||
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Unemployment Rate
Persons are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior 4 weeks, and are currently available for work. The unemployment rate represents the number unemployed as a percent of the labor force. For more information about how employment and unemployment are calculated, see How the Government Measures Unemployment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| TITLE | FREQ./YEARS* | LOCATION/SOURCE** |
|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics 1963-1991 |
M= 1963-1991 A = 1963-1991 |
C59.11/3 Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1948 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
Y 4.Ec 7:Ec 7/(yr/mo) latest: Ref/US previous: Gov Pubs/US |
| Economic Indicators 1995 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 10 years |
From GPO ACCESS |
| Economic Statistics Briefing Room (ESBR) | M=recent | From the White House |
| Federal Reserve Bulletin 1915 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 3 years |
FR 1.3: Gov Pubs/US |
| Monthly Labor Review 1918 - |
M=last 13 months A=last 9 years |
L 2.6: Gov Pubs/US |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States 1878 - |
various | C 3.134: Ref Desk HA 202 & Ref/US C 3.134 (earlier in Gov Pubs/US) |
| *FREQUENCY: W=Weekly M=Monthly Q=Quarterly A=Annual *YEARS: Based on recent issues | ||


