GDP Statistics

The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis is responsible for gathering and reporting Gross Domestic Product statistics.
  1. Access Table 1.1.5.  Gross Domestic Product.

  2. Using the statistics in this table, complete the first three columns, nominal GDP, in the table below. You are gathering statistics for the second quarter of 2001, the third quarter of 2001, and the fourth quarter of 2001.
  3. When you have completed the first three colums (nominal GDP), access Table 1.1.6. Real Gross Domestic Product.

  4. Using the statistics in this table, complete the fourth, fifth and sixth columns, Real GDP, in the table below. Once again, you are gathering statistics for the second quarter of 2001, the third quarter of 2001, and the fourth quarter of 2001.
  5. Compare the changes in the nominal GDP statistics for the second quarter of 2001 and the third quarter of 2001, and for the third quarter of 2001 and the fourth quarter of 2001.
  6. Compare the changes in the real GDP statistics for the second quarter of 2000 and the third quarter of 2001 and for the third quarter of 2001 and the fourth quarter of 2001.
  7. Finally, access Table 1.1.4. Price Indexes for Gross Domestic Product to observe the price index data used in the adjustment process for the fourth quarter of 2001. Use the Implicit price deflator for each category. Is the same price index used to adjust all the nominal GDP category data ? Why or why not?
 
Nominal GDP 2001 Quarter II
Nominal GDP 2001 Quarter III
Nominal GDP 2001 Quarter IV
Real GDP 
2001 Quarter II
Real GDP 
2001 Quarter III
Real GDP 
2001 Quarter IV
Price Index 2001 Quarter IV
Gross Domestic Product
             
Personal Consumption
             
Durable Goods
             
Nondurable Goods 
             
Services 
             
Gross Private Investment
             
Net Exports
             
U.S. Exports
             
U.S. Imports
             
Government Expenditures 
             
Federal Expenditures
             
National Defense
             
Nondefense 
             
State & Local Expenditures
             

U.S. net exports are a small percentage of U.S. GDP. Nonetheless, exports and imports are important to the functioning of the U.S. economy. The following question is based on Web Question number 1 from chapter 6 of the McConnell website.
The U.S. Census Bureau lists the top trading partners of the United States (for imports exports added together) as well as the top 10 countries with which the United States has a trade surplus and the top 10 countries with which the United States has a trade deficit.

Using the current year-to-date data, compare the top 10 countries with which the U.S. has a trade surplus and the top 10 countries with which the U.S. has a trade deficit with the U.S.’s top 10 trading partners. Are deficit and surplus countries equally represented in the top 10 trading partners list, or does one group dominate the list? The top 10 trade partners represent what percent of U.S. imports and what percent of U.S. exports?

(Once you are in the Census Bureau’s website, click on “Current Month” and “Surplus” to determine the top 10 countries with which the U.S. has a trade surplus. Then click on “Current Month” and “Deficit” to determine the top 10 countries with which the U.S. has a trade deficit. Finally, click on “Current Month” and “Total Trade” to determine the U.S.’s top 10 trading partners.)
 
 

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Last updated March 3, 2004

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