Government shutdown leaves the economy in uncharted territory

Data went dark this month. The government shutdown is halting the collection and release of statistics tracking the job market, public health and crop production, as well as other economic indicators.Why it matters: The numbers are critical for understanding what's happening in the U.S., particularly at a moment of rapid change in both government policies and in the job market.How it works: Businesses use gold-standard government data, like the jobs report, to set wages and make hiring, pricing and investment decisions. Investors watch the numbers so closely that they can drive big stock reactions. Policymakers use the data to set minimum wage standards and increase food assistance or other important benefits.Where it stands: Since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, government agencies have stopped collecting or releasing information about:The labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics didn't release a September employment report and hasn't collected any data in October. We don't know the unemployment rate or how many jobs businesses are creating. Few companies appear to be hiring, and job anxiety is skyrocketing.Public health. Weekly numbers that track how many Americans are coming down with the flu, RSV or COVID-19 haven't been updated.Local governments, doctors and Americans are in the dark about illnesses that lead to hospitalizations and the deaths of tens of thousands every year just as respiratory virus season typically kicks up.Agriculture. The USDA's weekly export sales report and daily sales announcements, and its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates aren't coming out. Farmers and commodity traders are left with little information at the peak of the harvest season and at a time when tariffs are driving much angst, Reuters reports.Demographic information. The 2024 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample was supposed to be released on Oct. 16.It's one of the few publicly available datasets that allows for measurement of economic, demographic and housing trends across small geographic areas and small population subgroups. State and local governments use it a lot, along with researchers tracking health equity, immigrant health and more.Between the lines: This isn't an all-inclusive list.And though these should be temporary stops, there is other data that the Trump administration has walked away from permanently: on food insecurity and weather disasters.Reality check: Some information was too important to skip. On Friday, the BLS released its Consumer Price Index, covering inflation in September — a measure tied to Social Security's Cost of Living Adjustment, which the government said would be 2.8% next year. But no data on October has been collected.What to watch: The GDP report, measuring the growth of the entire economy, won't come out next week if the government is still shuttered, and may wind up delayed even if we see a reopening. The bottom line: We're in literally uncharted economic territory at a stormy moment.Go deeper: Trump sets new shutdown recordEditor's note: Adriel Bettelheim and Tina Reed contributed reporting

Comments

World news

Use of notwithstanding clause against Alberta teachers will prompt 'unprecedented response' 30 unions tell Smith

National Post

Comments

Similar News

‘Ignorant’: former Labor MP condemns Minns government for threatening Blue Mountains protesters over historic site

A landslide victory in a lacklustre election that wounds the Irish government

Trump backer Timothy Mellon identified as donor of $130m for US troop pay during government shutdown

Saskatchewan government calls upon Canada, U.S. to resume trade talks after latest Trump tirade

Even Ben Shapiro is slamming Trump for seeking $230 million in ‘damages’ from the government

Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick

Alberta government pays out $95 million to end another coal policy lawsuit

Gaza mother-of-three pleads with UK government for evacuation or she will lose last chance for UK scholarship

Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants

Government shutdown continues to add to stress on air traffic controllers and disrupt flights

Trump economic guru Hassett offers blunt advice to federal workers going without paychecks during government shutdown

French Socialists threaten to topple government over wealth tax

UK government considers watering down late payment rules for big firms

Okanagan winery says government policy meant to help is now hurting wine sales

Cracks emerge in Democrats' unity on government shutdown

UCP government to allow Albertans to pay privately for some health care services

Quebec government to ban religious symbols in daycares

Ontario tells federal government to approve Marineland whale transfer to China, Nova Scotia

Health care compromise appears far off as the government shutdown stalemate persists

Nobody Is Sure How Bolivia’s New President Will Govern

World news

Use of notwithstanding clause against Alberta teachers will prompt 'unprecedented response' 30 unions tell Smith

Blue Jays have no answer for Yamamoto as Dodgers send World Series back to L.A. tied at a game apiece

U.S. ramps up pressure on Venezuela as warship docks in Trinidad and Tobago

Was that Colonel Sanders at the Blue Jays game?

Israel allows Egypt and Red Cross teams into Gaza as search for hostage bodies widens

Jamaica braces for Hurricane Melissa as category 4 storm threatens Caribbean

Why Donald Trump’s move to pay the troops was probably illegal, and why that probably doesn’t matter

Montana municipal candidate suggests ‘homeless island’ tourist attraction to address city’s unhoused population

US warship arrives in Trinidad and Tobago - as Venezuela hits out at 'military provocation'

After daughter attacked by dogs, Alberta mother calls on First Nation for regulations

London Knights blank Sarnia to end the weekend

California police chief accused of commuting from Idaho and sleeping at the station

San Francisco strip club employees arrested in connection with bar owner’s death

Brazilian influencer, 23, accused of ‘leading drug trafficking ring’

Only Vicky McClure is keeping Trigger Point alive

Government shutdown leaves the economy in uncharted territory

Egypt and Red Cross join search for hostage bodies in Gaza

Violent protests flare in Cameroon as results due in contested election

A grim legacy of war in Gaza as thousands are left to deal with amputations

Police arrest suspects in high-profile Louvre robbery

In Malaysia, President Trump claims credit for brokering peace between Thailand and Cambodia

The Russia-Ukraine Energy War

Caribbean Braces for Hurricane Melissa

Burevestnik Nuclear Missile Tests Successful, Russia Says

Trump guilty of ordering ‘extrajudicial killings’ with strikes on alleged drug boats, Republican senator says

1 killed and 6 injured after gunfire erupts at Pennsylvania HBCU homecoming

State Department thought Putin had no interest in ending the war in Ukraine: report

Worshipers flock to a new cathedral that is the world’s largest Orthodox church

Miraculous rescue of baby trapped in overturned car

US warship docks in Trinidad and Tobago, puts more pressure on Venezuela

Key city in Sudan on brink of falling to paramilitary group

Trump and Xi set to ‘consummate’ TikTok deal during China trade talks: Live updates

Big 12 lands season-high 5 teams in the AP Top 25, No. 9 Vandy's ranking highest since 1937, LSU out

Putin is showing off a new nuclear-capable weapon. What we know about the Burevestnik missile

Man dressed in Nazi uniform arrested for assaulting a woman outside of Georgia college bar

Trump and Kim Jong-un could be primed for a surprise meeting during the president’s Asia trip, former advisor warns

Face of ‘devil monster’ who raped, tortured and killed 12-year-old girl in crime that shocked France

Bosses could still sack new hires under ‘day one’ workers’ rights compromise

After Powell’s victory and Caerphilly, Starmer faces an impossible balancing act

I’ve written about my divorce – but even I couldn’t do what Lily Allen has done

Graham predicts Trump's war on "narco-terrorists" will expand to land strikes

Israel allows Red Cross and Egyptian teams into Gaza as search for bodies of hostages widens

What eight wars has Trump claimed to have ended?

Moment jackknifed lorry crushes car killing two after losing control on slippery road

German police bust an art forgery ring trying to sell fake Picasso, Rembrandt works

Hurricane Melissa Could Hit as One of Jamaica’s Strongest Storms Ever

Palestinian Leader Lays Out Succession Plan, Elevating Deputy as Apparent Heir

BCGEU says tentative agreement reached in historic strike

Calgary petting zoo, farm remains closed as 20 people referred for avian flu testing

Hurricane Melissa threatens Jamaica, Haiti with flooding

Blue Jays fans’ Canadian kindness on display

Louvre robbery suspects arrested week after jewel heist, prosecutor says

A dancing Trump arrives in Malaysia to kick off Asia tour

Trump’s final words on Jan 6 to Mike Pence revealed

Trump showcases trademark dance moves as he is welcomed to Malaysia

How Ukraine and Russia are playing out a deadly cat and mouse drone war from underground bunkers

Ukraine ready to fight for the next three years, says Poland’s PM Tusk