Economic Growth

December 9, 2014
Everyday economics: Looking at the CPI and beyond, there are many ways to calculate the inflation rate.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at December 9, 2014
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Expanding How We Measure Inflation

Our CPI measure of the inflation rate has been debated because it could be calculated using a chained CPU, could be real time, and excludes some seniors.

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November 30, 2014
Everyday Economics — Oil stories
Published by Elaine Schwartz at November 30, 2014
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Three Graphs That Tell the Whole Oil Story

Following the law of supply, U.S. shale oil firms will lower output because OPEC is letting price plummet but airlines on demand side like lower prices.

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November 27, 2014
Weekly roundup and income inequality
Published by Elaine Schwartz at November 27, 2014
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A Bigger (Thanksgiving) Pie or Equal Slices?

Increasing income inequality by moving from communal farming to individual plots, Plymouth Colony Governor William Bradford changed income redistribution.

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November 25, 2014
Understanding the employment report
Published by Elaine Schwartz at November 25, 2014
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What An Unemployment Rate Does Not Tell You

A single statistic like the unemployment rate for Japan, the European Union and the U.S. can be misleading until we look more closely at what it represents.

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November 7, 2014
Weekly economic news roundup and marijuana update
Published by Elaine Schwartz at November 7, 2014
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Four Ways to Understand Marijuana Demand

With an increasing number of states legalizing marijuana, demand is shifting because of changes in utility, complementary products and the number of buyers.

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October 29, 2014
Everyday Economics: Displaying a regression to the world mean, China's real economic growth rate might be less than most people expect.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 29, 2014
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How Chinese Economic Growth Relates to Restaurants and Pilots

China might not fuel world economic growth if instead of a 7 percent real GDP growth rate forecast, we use a regression to the mean of 3.9 percent.

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October 26, 2014
Everyday economics: A misery index number conveys the potential distress created by unemployment and inflation.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 26, 2014
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An Economist’s Definition of Misery

While a misery index shows a nation's inflation and unemployment rates, the eurozone's high unemployment might create disproportionate unhappiness.

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October 16, 2014
aging population pyramids
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 16, 2014
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The Best Places For Growing Old

With populations growing older in the developed world, their wellbeing might affect the GDP growth rate because of the expense of their care.

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October 14, 2014
Everyday economics of LED bulbs
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 14, 2014
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The Unexpected Consequences of More Efficient Lighting

Like 19th century English coal, more efficient and cheap LED lights can mean people and businesses use it more because of the lower opportunity cost.

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October 12, 2014
Everyday economics and human capital formation
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 12, 2014
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When Does Practice Really Matter?

Since education creates positive externalities that fuel economic growth, understanding how to develop expertise through human capital formation is crucial.

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August 31, 2014
A NASA satellite image of the world's night lights conveys economic information about developed and developing countries.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 31, 2014
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Bedtime Stories… About the Economy.

From statistics and a satellite image of the world at night, we can see that developing countries lack the electrification they need for economic growth.

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August 28, 2014
Starbucks tall latte index
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 28, 2014
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The Path of the Shifting Center of Global Economic Power

Led by Chinese economic growth and other emerging markets, the center of economic gravity is moving eastward from the developed world to Asia.

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