US Economy at a Glance is one of three “at a glance” tables available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Web site. It provides statistics on the following: unemployment rate, change in payroll employment, average hourly earnings, consumer price index, producer price index, US import price index, employment cost index, and productivity. Data are generated from a number of BLS surveys and programs, such as the Current Population Survey, Consumer Price Indexes, and Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Employment cost index and productivity data are presented on a quarterly basis; the other data are monthly. Back data are also available for each series, both as a graph and as a ten‐year history. The latter offers a number of output and timeframe options.
A drop‐down menu provides access to all three “at a glance” tables. Economy at a Glance tables are available for regional, state, and metropolitan areas. Industry at a Glance contains profiles of the nine industry divisions, such as retail trade, government, and manufacturing. A text version of the “at a glance” tables is available. A menu bar at the top of the page provides links to the BLS home page, programs and surveys, a glossary, “What’s New” from BLS, and “Find it! In DOL”. This last takes users to the main Department of Labor (DOL) Web site. A search box and an alphabetical index are available for the main DOL site. There is also a link to “Get Detailed Statistics”, a gateway to many additional statistics which can be manipulated to provide customized tables. For most, a “most requested statistics” category is available.
US Economy at a Glance provides a great deal of useful and authoritative data in a clear, easy‐to‐use layout. It provides information in a variety of formats, from viewing a table to manipulating data series, to suit a wide range of users. It is also a useful gateway to the copious information indicated on the very full main BLS page.
