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The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis
promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing
the most timely, relevant, and accurate economic data in an
objective and cost-effective manner.
BEA produces economic accounts statistics that enable government
and business decision-makers, researchers, and the American
public to follow and understand the performance of the Nation's
economy. To do this, BEA collects source data, conducts research
and analysis, develops and implements estimation methodologies,
and disseminates statistics to the public.
BEA's role in the Federal statistical system:
BEA is an agency of the Department of Commerce. Along with the
Census Bureau and STAT-USA, BEA is part of the Department's
Economics and Statistics Administration.
BEA is one of the world's leading statistical agencies. Although
it is a relatively small agency, BEA produces some of the most
closely watched economic statistics that influence the
decisions made by government officials, business people,
households, and individuals. BEA's economic statistics, which
provide a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of the
U.S. economy, are key ingredients in critical decisions
affecting monetary policy, tax and budget projections, and
business investment plans. The cornerstone of BEA's statistics
is the national income and product accounts (NIPA's), which
feature the estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) and
related measures. The GDP was recently recognized by the
Department of Commerce as its greatest achievement of the 20th
century and has been ranked as one of the three most
influential measures that affect U.S. financial markets. Since
the NIPA's were first published, BEA has developed and extended
its estimates to cover a wide range of ec onomic
activities. Today, BEA prepares national, regional, industry,
and international accounts that present essential information
on such key issues as economic growth, regional economic
development, interindustry relationships, and the Nation's
position in the world economy.
Website: "http://www.bea.doc.gov/"
[Summary provided by Bureau of Economic Analysis]
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