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.

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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
 
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