This month, the U.S. government shutdown has disrupted the gathering and publication of vital national statistics. Agencies responsible for monitoring employment, public health, agriculture, and demographic trends have suspended operations, leaving critical data streams on pause. n nThe absence of this information poses challenges across sectors. Businesses rely on authoritative reports like the monthly jobs release to guide hiring, wage adjustments, and investment strategies. Financial markets often react sharply to such data, making its unavailability a source of uncertainty for investors. Policymakers also depend on these metrics to shape decisions on social programs, including minimum wage adjustments and food assistance. n nSince the shutdown began on October 1, several key reports have been delayed or not issued: n nLabor market data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics did not publish the September employment report and has collected no new data in October. As a result, the current unemployment rate and net job creation figures remain unknown. Early signals suggest weak hiring activity and rising job insecurity among workers. n nPublic health updates: Weekly tracking of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 cases has stopped. This lack of visibility comes at the start of respiratory virus season, limiting the ability of health providers and local authorities to prepare for potential surges in hospitalizations and deaths. n nAgricultural reports: The USDA has halted its weekly export sales summaries and the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. With harvest season underway and trade tensions heightened by tariffs, farmers and commodity traders are operating with limited market intelligence. n nDemographic data: The 2024 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample, scheduled for release on October 16, has been postponed. This dataset is essential for analyzing socioeconomic and housing patterns in small communities and among minority populations, and is widely used by local governments and researchers. n nWhile some data collection pauses are expected during shutdowns, certain datasets abandoned under the Trump administration—such as those on food insecurity and climate-related disasters—have not been reinstated. n nOne exception was the release of the September Consumer Price Index by the BLS, which informs Social Security’s Cost of Living Adjustment. Officials confirmed a 2.8% increase for next year. However, no data has been gathered for October. n nLooking ahead, the upcoming GDP report, which measures overall economic growth, may be delayed further if the shutdown continues. Even after operations resume, backlog effects could postpone publication. n nIn summary, the U.S. economy is navigating a period of significant uncertainty without access to foundational data, complicating decision-making for businesses, investors, and public officials. n— news from Axios
— News Original —nShutdown: Halted jobs, GDP data puts US economy in darknData 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. n nWhy 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. n nHow it works: Businesses use gold-standard government data, like the jobs report, to set wages and make hiring, pricing and investment decisions. n nInvestors 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. n nWhere it stands: Since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, government agencies have stopped collecting or releasing information about: n nThe labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics didn’t release a September employment report and hasn’t collected any data in October. n nWe don’t know the unemployment rate or how many jobs businesses are creating. Few companies appear to be hiring, and job anxiety is skyrocketing. n nPublic health. Weekly numbers that track how many Americans are coming down with the flu, RSV or COVID-19 haven’t been updated. n nLocal 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. n nAgriculture. 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. n nDemographic information. The 2024 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample was supposed to be released on Oct. 16. n nIt’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. n nState and local governments use it a lot, along with researchers tracking health equity, immigrant health and more. n nBetween the lines: This isn’t an all-inclusive list. n nAnd 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. n nReality 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. n nBut no data on October has been collected. n nWhat 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. n nThe bottom line: We’re in literally uncharted economic territory at a stormy moment. n nGo deeper: The lone shutdown economic report has a tariff silver lining n nEditor’s note: Adriel Bettelheim and Tina Reed contributed reporting