The National Bureau of Economic Research calculates gross domestic product (GDP) as the value of all goods and services produced in the US. The nation’s gross domestic product rose by 5.7% in 2021, the highest growth rate in 37 years. 

States with large populations tend to contribute more to GDP than smaller states, but state productivity and income also factor in. Learn about the complexity and diversity of the nation’s economy through a GDP lens in this article. 

• Real estate is the top GDP contributor in 20 states, the most of any industry. Manufacturing leads GDP in 18 states. The two sectors combined contribute about 24% of the national GDP.
   
• The "other” designation in the map above can mean various industries, including information; professional, scientific, and technical services; warehousing; agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting; law enforcement; and more.

• Combined, California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois contribute 41% of the national GDP.
   
• In 2021, US GDP grew 7.6% from pre-pandemic levels. All states had a higher GDP in 2021 than in 2019, except for Hawaii; the state's GDP fell by 1.9% due to declining tourism during the pandemic. 
  

• Twenty-three states have exempted these products from state sales taxes since 2016. Five other states have no sales tax, so the products are already exempt.

• Menstrual product taxes vary by state, but the highest rate is 7% (the rate in four states). 
   
• The First Step Act of 2018 mandates free menstrual products in federal prisons, but not state- and county-run facilities. Prisoners in 31 states must purchase menstrual products from the commissary. 

 Learn more in this article.


The data behind current events

Recent supply chain disruptions have hindered manufacturers' ability to produce products ranging from light switches to cars to military equipment. In response, the recently passed CHIPS Act contains more than $50 billion to support the domestic semiconductor industry.

The new Inflation Reduction Act covers many issues, from healthcare costs to tax credits for switching to cleaner energy sources. One thing it didn’t do was change the state and local income tax (SALT) deduction cap, despite the wishes of some Congressmembers. Revisit this article for a refresher on SALT.

The weekly fact quiz is full of new nonpartisan data. Can you ace it? 


One last fact