What does the federal government spend your tax dollars on? Social insurance programs, mostly
From Social Security to national parks, a look at long-range trends in federal outlays relative to the U.S. economy
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Economic Policy
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Economic Policy
Publications
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What the unemployment rate does – and doesn’t – say about the economy
Although the unemployment rate gets most of the attention, the government’s monthly jobs report contains lots of other data that, properly interpreted, can provide a fuller picture of the U.S. economy.
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Public remains divided over role of government in financial regulation
As Donald Trump and congressional Republicans take steps to roll back Obama-era financial regulations, the public remains divided over whether regulations of financial institutions have gone too far or not gone far enough.
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More Americans say government should ensure health care coverage
As the debate continues over repeal of the Affordable Care Act and what might replace it, a growing share of Americans believe that the federal government has a responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage.
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How America Changed During Barack Obama’s Presidency
Pew Research Center President Michael Dimock examines the changes – some profound, some subtle – that the U.S. experienced during Barack Obama’s presidency.
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Americans still favor ties with Cuba after Castro’s death, U.S. election
Three-quarters of U.S. adults approve of the decision last year to re-establish relations with Cuba, and nearly as many favor ending the trade embargo.
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In Key African Nations, Widespread Discontent With Economy, Corruption
Many people in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are concerned about their countries’ political and economic systems. Yet, there is considerable optimism about the future.
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American public, foreign policy experts sharply disagree over involvement in global economy
Is America’s involvement in the world economy good for the nation? The U.S. public and international relations scholars appear to disagree.
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Migrant remittances worldwide drop in 2015 for first time since Great Recession
Worldwide, an estimated $582 billion was sent by migrants to relatives in their home countries in 2015, a 2% decline from 2014.
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In debates, voters want to hear most about terrorism and the economy
Given the chance to decide how much time is spent on each of 10 specific issues, voters would allocate more time to discussions of the candidates’ plans on keeping the U.S. safe from terrorism and on economic growth and much less time to discussion of abortion policy.
