Research Briefing
US economy: developments since the 2008/2009 recession
US economic recovery from the 2008/2009 recession has been steady as annual GDP growth averaged 2.2% between 2010 and 2013. Unemployment has been falling but the proportion of working age adults in employment remains low by historical standards. Interest rates are near 0% and the Federal Reserve has bought $4 trillion in assets to try and boost the economy. Large budget deficits have seen fiscal policy become a key political battleground, although the deficit has fallen in recent years.