During the last quarter of 2024, the economy of the United States grew at an annualized pace of 2.3%, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This expansion rate was below the expected 2.6% and signaled a slowdown compared to the 3.1% increase noted in the previous quarter.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the United States economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.3%, as reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This growth rate fell short of the anticipated 2.6% and marked a deceleration from the 3.1% growth observed in the third quarter.
Key Drivers of Economic Growth
Quarterly Comparison Analysis
The growth rate of 2.3% in the fourth quarter marks the most sluggish quarterly expansion since 2018, when the economy saw a 0.6% increase in the final quarter. Annually, the economy expanded by 2.8% in 2024, slightly under the 2.9% growth achieved in 2023.
Elements Leading to the Deceleration
Factors Contributing to the Slowdown
- Reducción de Inversiones: Hubo una caída en las actividades de inversión, lo que compensó en parte las ganancias del gasto de los consumidores y del gobierno.
- Dinámicas Comerciales: Las importaciones disminuyeron en este período, lo cual, aunque resta en el cálculo del PIB, sugiere cambios potenciales en la demanda interna y ajustes en la cadena de suministro global.
Presiones Inflacionarias e Implicaciones Políticas
Inflationary Pressures and Policy Implications
Visión General del Mercado Laboral
Labor Market Overview
Prospects for 2025
Mirando al futuro, las perspectivas económicas para 2025 muestran un panorama mixto:
Looking ahead, the economic outlook for 2025 presents a mixed picture:
- Growth Projections: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a moderation in economic growth, with GDP expected to increase by 1.9% in 2025, down from an estimated 2.3% in 2024.
- cbo.gov
- Inflation Expectations: Economists anticipate that inflation will remain above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, influenced by factors such as ongoing supply chain disruptions and policy decisions.
- reuters.com
- Policy Considerations: Proposed tariffs and stricter immigration policies could exert additional inflationary pressures and impact labor market dynamics, necessitating careful monitoring and policy adjustments.