Country snapshots 2017-18: United States

Stronger growth ahead

Economic growth is set to strengthen in 2017 and 2018, as an assumed fiscal stimulus boosts the economy and the effects of dollar appreciation, declines in energy investment and a substantial inventory correction abate. Employment has risen steadily, although the pace is expected to ease somewhat in 2017. A pick-up in wages will further support growth, offsetting somewhat sluggish external demand. 

Monetary policy has remained very accommodative, consistent with inflation running below target. As economic slack is eliminated and pressure on resources emerges, policy rates will gradually increase. Monetary policy needs to tread a cautious path. Some measures of inflation expectations have edged down and persistently undershooting the inflation target could entrench lowered expectations. On the other hand, sustained low interest rates create financial market risks, which may require stronger macro-prudential action. More supportive fiscal policy eases the burden on monetary policy.

GDP growth

2015

Current prices USD billion

2016

  

2017

% real change

2018

  
18 036.7 1.5 2.3 3.0

Visit www.oecd.org/eco/economicoutlook.htm                                       

©OECD Observer No 308 Q4 2016                 




Economic data

GDP growth: +0.5% Q3 2018 year-on-year
Consumer price inflation: 2.4% Dec 2018 annual
Trade: +0.3% exp, +0.7% imp, Q2 2018
Unemployment: 5.2% Dec 2018
Last update: 13 Feb 2019

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