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Explore the special report we created for Congress — and people like you
To find solutions to issues affecting the United States, everyone, from regular citizens to top policymakers, needs data to understand how the government serves the people.
USAFacts recently brought America in Facts 2024: A Data-Driven Report for Congress to lawmakers in Washington, DC. The report is the result of interviews with House and Senate staff, both Democrats and Republicans, on their topics of interest and the challenges they face when using data.
The result is nearly 100 pages of nonpartisan numbers, and it's now [live at USAFacts.org]([link removed]). Here’s a preview of what America in Facts has to offer:
The economy
[Chart showing net change in US jobs]([link removed])
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In 2023, US employers added approximately 3.1 million jobs, a slower growth pace than in 2021 and 2022.
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Gross domestic product grew by 2.5% in 2023, surpassing the average growth rate since 2000.
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2023’s average unemployment rate was 3.6%, its average job openings rate was 5.7%, and its labor force participation rate rose to 62.6%.
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The US trade deficit decreased by 22% from $990.3 billion to $773.4 billion. For the first time in 20 years, the US imported more goods and services from Mexico than China.
Wealth and savings
[Bar chart showing share of families with retirement accounts]([link removed])
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By the end of 2023, the top 20% of income earners held 71% of the nation’s wealth, approximately $103.0 trillion. The middle class (middle 20%) held 8%, or $12.1 trillion.
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As of 2022, 54% of families had at least one retirement account. Median retirement savings for families with accounts rose by 16% between 2013 and 2022.
Defense
[Line graph showing foreign aid obligations]([link removed])
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The US promised $73.9 billion in foreign aid in FY 2022. Ukraine was the biggest recipient ($13 billion).
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Defense spending increased 3% to $994.6 billion in 2023 but was 14% lower than its 2010 peak. The largest portion, 32%, compensated military and civilian personnel.
[You can download the full report here]([link removed]) and explore metrics on the US population, infrastructure, border security, and more. Plus, see our recommendations on where government data is lacking, and what Congress can do about it.
Data behind the news
Last week, Southern Baptists voted at an annual gathering to oppose the use of in vitro fertilization. Here’s how many [babies are born in the US]([link removed]) due to the procedure.
The Supreme Court recently upheld access to the abortion pill mifepristone, ruling that opponents lacked the legal right to sue over the federal Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the drug. Mifepristone is [banned in several states]([link removed]).
Did you study? It’s time for the [weekly fact quiz]([link removed]).
One last fact
[Line graph showing labor participation rate for Americans over 65]([link removed])
The [labor force participation rate]([link removed]) for Americans 65 and older was 27% in 1948. By 2022, it was 19.2%. However, due to a growing population, more people in this age group worked in 2022 (10.9 million people) than in 1948 (2.9 million people).
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