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.

Growth in the last quarter was mainly propelled by rises in consumer expenditures and government spending. Household consumption, a crucial part of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), stayed strong, indicating ongoing consumer activity. Government expenses also played a positive role, with significant growth in federal and state spending.

Analysis Compared to Earlier Quarters

Comparative Analysis with Previous Quarters

The 2.3% growth rate in Q4 represents the slowest quarterly expansion since 2018, when the economy grew by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. On an annual basis, the economy grew by 2.8% in 2024, slightly below the 2.9% growth recorded in 2023.

Varios factores influyeron en la desaceleración del crecimiento en el último trimestre:

Several elements contributed to the moderated growth in the fourth quarter:

Presiones Inflacionarias e Implicaciones Políticas

Inflationary Pressures and Policy Implications

Visión General del Mercado Laboral

In spite of prior worries, the labor market showed strength, with the unemployment rate dropping to 4.1% in December 2024. Nonetheless, forecasts indicate a minor rise in unemployment by the close of 2025, signifying potential changes in the labor market as the economy faces continuous challenges.

Despite earlier concerns, the labor market demonstrated resilience, with the unemployment rate declining to 4.1% in December 2024. However, projections suggest a slight increase in unemployment by the end of 2025, reflecting potential adjustments in the labor market as the economy navigates ongoing challenges.

Observing the future, the economic forecast for 2025 offers a varied scenario:

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.