A USER'S GUIDE TO BEA INFORMATION

How To Use This Guide

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Entries in this guide are arranged by program area. Each program area includes a list of products available as well as telephone numbers for users who have questions or need assistance. Each BEA product or service is available from one of three sales agents, abbreviated as follows:

Each product's listing identifies the sales agent for that product and includes a stock or accession number and price to be used when ordering.

How to Order the Products Listed in This Guide

"Available from BEA"--call the BEA Public Information Office at (202) 523-0777 to order products available from BEA; payment may be by MasterCard or VISA. To order by mail, write to. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Public Information Office, BE-53, Washington D. 20230. List the accession number and title of the product requested and include a check or money order made out to "Bureau of Economic Analysis" for the total amount of the order. For foreign orders, add 25% to the total amount of the order.

"Available from GPO"--call the Government Printing Office (GPO), Superintendent of Documents at (202)783- 3238 to place an order by telephone using MasterCard, VISA, or GPO Deposit Account. Inquiries can be faxed to (202)512-2250 or mailed to New Orders, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh PA 15250-7954.

"Available from NTIS"--call the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) at 1-800-553-6847 (toll-free from oustide Virginia) or in Virginia call (703)487- 4650, to place an order by telephone using MasterCard VISA, American Express, or NTIS Deposit Account. Use the NTIS fax number, (703)321-8547, to inquire about paying by check or money order or about foreign orders. Written inquiries can be sent to. NTIS, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.

The following sections describe the products and services related to BEA's four program areas. National economics, regional economics, international economics, and other tools for economic analysis.

General

BEA's current national, regional, and international estimates usually appear first in news releases. (For BEA's 1992 release dates, see elsewhere on the EBB.. The information in news releases is available to the general public in three forms. On recorded telephone messages, online through the Economic Bulletin Board, and in BEA Reports. This section describes these services, as well as the Survey of Current Business--BEA's monthly publication of record--and products related to it. Most of BEA's work is presented in the Survey of Current Business, either in full or in summary form. The presentations of current estimates and analyses are usually on a regular schedule; this schedule is noted in each of the program-description sections that follow. For more information on BEA's programs, products, and services, write to the Public Information Office, BE-53, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or call (202) 523-0777; TDD: (202) 523- 3506.

Recorded Telephone Messages.
Brief (3-5 minutes) recorded telephone messages summarizing key estimates immediately after their release. The messages are available 24 hours a day for several days following release. The usual time of release (eastern standard or eastern daylight time) and the telephone numbers to call are as follows:

Economic Bulletin Board (EBB).
Online computer access to news releases and other information. BEA places an increasing range of its information on the Economic Bulletin Board (EBB) maintained by the Office of Business Analysis (OBA) of the Department of Commerce. News releases are available on the Bulletin Boar. shortly after their release. Selected estimates and articles such as the "Business Situation" and other Survey of Current Business articles are also available. The Bulletin Board may be accessed by personal computer, computer terminal, or word processor equipped with a modem; the information available on it--which includes information from several Federal agencies--may be either viewed on the user's screen or downloaded. The Bulletin Board is available by subscription from OBA. For more information, call the Commerce Department's Office of Business Analysis at (202) 377-1986.

BEA Reports (EBB, news release).
Five sets of reports that present the information contained in the BEA news releases for the following areas. Gross domestic product; personal income and outlays; regional reports; international reports; and composite indexes of leading, coincident, and lagging indicators. The reports contain summary estimates. All reports are available online through the EBB. The printed reports are mailed the day after estimates are released.

Survey of Current Business (publication).
A monthly journal containing estimates and analyses of U.S. economic activity. Includes the "Business Situation"--a review of current economic development--and regular and special articles pertaining to the national, regional, and international economic accounts and related topics. Among the special articles that appeared in 1991 were "Gross Product by Industry, 1977-88. A Progress Report on Improving the Estimates," "Comprehensive Revision of the U.S. National Income and Product Accounts. A Review of Revisions and Major Statistical Changes," "Gross State Product by Industry, 1977-89," and "Valuation of the U.S. Net International Investment Position. Current quarterly estimates of the national income and product accounts appear every month. The Survey also contains two statistical sections that present an array of economic data from public and private sources. The Business Cycle Indicators section consists of tables for about 270 series and charts for about 130 series that are widely used in analyzing current cyclical developments. The Current Business Statistics section consists of tables for over 1,900 series covering general business activities and specific industries. The Survey is available from GPO.

Current Business Statistics (EBB, diskette).
Series shown in the Current Business Statistics section (or S-pages) of the current issue of the Survey of Current Business. Updated monthly. Available online through the EBB. The diskettes are available from BEA on a subscription basis.

Business Statistics, 1963-91 (publication).
Monthly or quarterly data for 1988-91 and annual data for 1963-91 for series that appear in the Current Business Statistics section (or S-pages) of the Survey of Current Business. These series include business sales, inventories, and orders; prices; employment and unemployment; construction; banking and finance; transportation; and many other industries and commodities. An appendix provides data for principal BEA series of the national income and product accounts and of U.S. international transactions. Also contains definitions of terms, sources of data, and methods of compilation.

The National Trade Data Bank (CD-ROM).
Access to international economic statistics and trade marketing information produced by the Federal Government. BEA places a significant number of its information programs in the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). These include international transactions, foreign direct investment, balance of payments, annual and quarterly national income and product accounts, and others. The NTDB contains over 50 information programs from 15 Government agencies, including export and import statistics, foreign marketing reports. "How-to" guides for exporters, and names of companies overseas that want to do business with U.S. exporters. The NTDB is produced monthly by the Office of Business Analysis (OBA) using Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) technology; the discs (similar to discs used in audio systems) are designed for use with IBM-compatible personal computers equipped with a relatively inexpensive CD-ROM reader. The NTDB may be ordered from OBA by calling (202) 377-1986.

National Economics

BEA's national economics program encompasses the national income and product accounts, government transactions on a national income and product accounting basis, and the input-output accounts.

National income and product accounts
The national income and product accounts and product accounts (NIPA's) show the value and composition of the Nation's output and the distribution of incomes generated in its production. The accounts include estimates of gross domestic product (GDP)--the market value of the Nation's output of goods and services--in current and constant dollars, GDP price measures, the goods and services that make up GDP in current and constant dollars, national income, personal income, and corporate profits. In addition, BEA produces specialized measures such as estimates of auto and truck output, gross domestic product of corporate business, housing output, and business inventories and sales. Measures of the inventory and fixed capital stocks consistent with the NIPA output measures are also provided. Further, the accounts provide a consistent framework within which estimates of special interest--such as expenditures to protect the environment--are prepared.

The estimates of GDP are prepared each quarter in the following sequence. Advance estimates are released in the first month after the end of the quarter, and, as more detailed and comprehensive data become available, preliminary and final estimates are released in the second and third months, respectively. Estimates of personal income and outlays are prepared each month. The NIPA's are also revised in each of the following 3 years, usually in July, and in comprehensive (benchmark) revisions, usually every 5 years (most recently in 1991). Current quarterly and monthly estimates are reported in the Survey of Current Business; quarterly NIPA estimates appear in a set of 53 "selected" tables, and monthly personal income and outlays estimates are reported in the Current Business Statistics (or S-pages). The full set of annual revisions (134 tables) usually is reported in the July issue. Annual estimates of the fixed capital stock are reported in the August issue.

In addition to the current and historical estimates described in the entries that follow, a considerable amount of component detail (for example, purchases of private structures by type) and industry detail (for example, change in business inventories by industry) is available. For further information about this detail or about the listed computer tapes, printouts, and diskettes, write to the National Income and Wealth Division, BE-54, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or call (202) 523-0669. For specific questions, the following telephone numbers may be used:

A recorded telephone message summarizing the latest GDP estimates is available by calling (202) 898-2451. A recorded message summarizing the latest personal income and outlays estimates is available at (202) 898-2452.

Current estimates
BEA Reports: Gross Domestic Product.
Monthly reports with summary NIPA estimates that feature GDP and corporate profits. Reports are available online through the EBB. Printed reports are mailed the day after estimates are released.

BEA Reports: Personal Income and Outlays.
Monthly reports with summary NIPA estimates that feature personal income and outlays. Reports are available online through the EBB. Printed reports are mailed the day after estimates are released.

Monthly Advance National Income and Product Accounts Tables.
NIPA estimates as they appear in the current issue of the Survey of Current Business. Updated monthly. Available online through the EBB. Diskettes and printouts are available 1 day after the release of GDP and are available from BEA.

Key Source Data and Assumptions.
Available source data and assumptions for missing source data that are used to prepare the advance estimates of GDP. Available in January, April, July, and October. Available online through the EBB.

Historical estimates
National Income and Product Accounts.
The full set of NIPA tables, most with estimates from 1959 to the present. Available from BEA.

National Income and Product Accounts.
The full set of NIPA tables, most with estimates from 1959 to the present. Available from BEA.

The National Income and Product Accounts of the United States,
Statistical Supplement: Volume 1, 1929-58; Volume 2, 1959-88.
The full set of NIPA tables. Includes statistical conventions and the definitions and classifications underlying the NIPA's.

NIPA methodology
Summary tables listing the principal source data and estimating methods used to prepare the NIPA estimates are included in the articles in the Survey of Current Business that describe annual revisions to the NIPA's. These tables were last published in the July 1990 issue and will be updated for the July 1992 issue. A number of papers that provide detailed descriptions of NIPA concepts and methodologies have been published.

NOTE:
The methodologies used to prepare the NIPA's are periodically refined to incorporate definitional changes, new source data, and/or new estimating procedures. In most cases, changes in methodology are introduced as part of the annual revisions that usually occur each July or as part of the comprehensive revisions that occur about every 5 years. The major methodological changes introduced in recent annual revisions are described in articles about the revised estimates in the July 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990 issues of the Survey of Current Business. The major methodological changes introduced in the most recent comprehensive revision are listed on pages 38-39 of the December 1991 Survey.

An Introduction to National Economic Accounting.
(NIPA Methodology Paper No. 1).
An introduction to the concepts of the U.S. NIPA's that places these accounts within the larger framework of national economic accounting. Shows the step-by-step derivation of a general national economic accounting system from the conventional accounting statements used by business and government and inferred for other transactors. Also shows how the income and product accounts, the capital finance accounts, and the input-output accounts--the major branches of national economic accounting in the United States today--are derived from this general system.

Corporate Profits: Profits Before Tax, Profits Tax Liability,
and Dividends (NIPA Methodology Paper No. 2).
A description of the concepts, sources, and methods of the corporate profits components of the NIPA's.

Foreign Transactions.
(NIPA Methodology Paper No. 3).
A description of the preparation of estimates in the NIPA's of net exports (both current- and constant-dollar), transfer payments to foreigners, capital grants received by the United States, interest paid by Government to foreigners, and net foreign investment. Also describes the relationship between foreign transactions estimates in the NIPA's and those in the balance of payments accounts.

GNP: An Overview of Source Data and Estimating Methods.
(NIPA Methodology Paper No. 4).
Basic information about GNP, including the conceptual basis for the account that presents GNP, definitions of each of the components on the income and product sides of that account, and a summary, presented in tabular form, of the source data and methods used in preparing estimates of current- and constant-dollar GNP. Also provides an annotated bibliography, with a directory, of the more than 50 items over the last decade that provided methodological information about GNP.

Government Transactions.
(NIPA Methodology Paper No. 5).
Presents the conceptual basis and framework of government transactions in the national income and product accounts, describes the presentation of the estimates, and details the sources and methods used to prepare estimates of Federal transactions and of State and local transactions.

Personal Consumption Expenditures.
(NIPA Methodology Paper No. 6).
Presents the conceptual basis and framework for personal consumption expenditures (PCE) in the NIPA's, describes the presentation of the estimates, and details the sources and methods used to prepare annual, quarterly, and monthly estimates of PCE. Includes a bibliography, definitions, and convenient tabular summaries of estimating procedures.

Other information related to the NIPA's

The Underground Economy: An Introduction.
A discussion of the coverage, measurement methods, and implications of the underground economy. Part of the discussion features the relation between the NIPA's and the underground economy: Illegal activities in the context of the NIPA's, three sets of NIPA estimates sometimes misunderstood as being measures of the underground economy, and the effect on NIPA estimates of possible misreporting in source data due to the underground economy. Article appeared in the May 1984 and July 1984 issues of the Survey of Current Business. Available from BEA.

Evaluation of the GNP Estimates.
An evaluation of the GNP estimates, covering the reliability of estimates, sources of error and types of statistical improvement, status of source data, documentation of methodology, release schedules, and security before release. This article appeared in the August 1987 Survey of Current Business. Available from BEA.

The Use of National Income and Product Accounts for Public Policy:
Our Successes and Failures.
An evaluation using two indirect approaches. The first reviews the "accuracy" of the estimates, using the size of revisions to GNP estimates as an indicator. The second reviews users' recommendations drawn from publications issued over the last 30 years. Available from NTIS.

Wealth and related estimates

Wealth.
Annual estimates of gross and net stocks, depreciation, and discards for fixed nonresidential private and residential capital, durable goods owned by consumers, and fixed capital owned by governments. For fixed private capital, contains estimates by each NIPA type of equipment and structures for 1925 to the present. For fixed private capital, also contains estimates of total equipment, total structures, and the total of equipment and structures owned by each two-digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) establishment-based industry for 1947 to the present, based on the 1987 SIC. For durable goods owned by consumers, contains estimates by each NIPA type of goods for 1925 to the present. For fixed capital owned by governments, contains estimates by each NIPA type of equipment and structures, separately for the Federal Government and for State and local governments, for 1925 to the present. The estimates are in historical-cost, constant-cost (1987 dollars), and current-cost valuations. Also includes stock series similar to those used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to derive measures of capital input for multifactor productivity studies. The investment series used to derive all of these estimates are also included, in the same detail as the stock estimates, in historical-cost and constant-cost (1987 dollars) valuations. Updated annually. Available from BEA.

Detailed Investment by Industry.
Annual estimates for 1947 to the present of investment purchased by each two-digit SIC establishment-based industry, separately for each detailed NIPA type of equipment and structures, based on the 1987 SIC. (The Wealth tape and diskettes in item 2.17 also include investment series for each industry, but only for total equipment, total structures, and the total of equipment and structures.) The estimates are in historical-cost and constant-cost (1987 dollars) valuations. Updated annually. Available from BEA.

Detailed Wealth by Industry.
Annual estimates for 1947 to the present of gross and net stocks, depreciation, and discards for fixed nonresidential private capital owned by each two-digit establishment-based SIC industry, separately for each detailed NIPA type of equipment and structures, based on the 1987 SIC. (The Wealth tape and diskettes in item 2.17 also include estimates of gross and net stocks, depreciation, and discards for each industry, but only for total equipment, total structures, and the total of equipment and structures.) Also includes stock series similar to those used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to derive measures of capital input for multifactor productivity studies. The estimates are in constant-cost (1987 dollars) and current-cost valuations. Updated annually. Available from BEA.

The United Nations System of National Accounts: An Introduction.
Describes the United Nations System of National Accounts (SNA), which is followed by most other countries, and contrasts it with the U.S. economic accounts. The article also presents estimates prepared by BEA to approximate some of the major SNA aggregates and describes the revision of the SNA that is underway. This article appeared in the June 1990 Survey of Current Business. (1990) Available upon request from the BEA Public Information Office.

Government transactions

BEA's estimates of government receipts, expenditures, and surplus or deficit are on a national income and product accounting basis. The estimates are prepared separately for Federal and for State and local governments on the same schedule as that described for the NIPA's. Reconciliations of the Federal sector on a NIPA basis and the unified budget prepared by the Office of Management and Budget are the basis for an article in the Survey of Current Business, usually in February, about Federal fiscal programs for the next fiscal year, and for detailed tables in the July issue. These reconciliations, and more specialized work such as described in the papers that follow, facilitate analysis of the effects of government fiscal policies on the economy. An article on the fiscal position of State and local governments is usually published in the February Survey. For further information, write to the Government Division, BE-57, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or call (202) 523-0715. For specific questions, the following telephone numbers may be used:

Government Transactions
(NIPA Methodology Paper No. 5).
Presents the conceptual basis and framework of government transactions in the national income and product accounts, describes the presentation of the estimates, and details the sources and methods used to prepare estimates of Federal transactions and of State and local transactions.

Cyclical Adjustment of the Federal Budget and Federal Debt:
Updated Detailed Methodology and Estimates
Description of the models that BEA used, prior to the latest comprehensive revision of the NIPA's, to estimate the cyclically adjusted Federal budget and inflation-induced changes in the cyclically adjusted budget. The quarterly data for the variables in the models and the regression equations underlying the coefficients are presented. The paper also discusses the cyclical adjustment of Federal debt and shows some results.

Input-output accounts

Input-output accounts for the United States show how industries interact--providing input to, and taking output from, each other--to produce GNP. Benchmark tables, based largely on the economic censuses, are prepared every 5 years; the latest benchmark table is for 1982, and the next will be for 1987. Annual tables are prepared using basically the same procedures as used for the benchmark tables, but with less comprehensive and less reliable source data. Associated tables showing capital flows from producing to using industries and employment and employee compensation by industry are also prepared. For specific questions, the following telephone numbers may be used:

  • Benchmark tables (202) 523-0683
  • Goods-producing industries (202) 523-0843
  • Services-producing industries (202) 523-3505
  • Annual tables (202) 523-0867
  • Computer tapes, diskettes, and printouts (202) 523-0792

Regional Economics

BEA's regional economics program provides estimates, analyses, and projections by region, State, metropolitan area, and county. Reports include (usually six a year) with summary estimates of State personal income (quarterly and annual) and of county and metropolitan area personal income (annual). Reports are available online through the EBB.

Regional estimates
Current quarterly State personal income estimates are reported in the January, April, July, and October issues of the Survey of Current Business. The annual estimates of State and local area personal income for a given year are subject to successive refinement. Preliminary annual State estimates, based on the current quarterly series, are released 4 months after the close of the reference year and published in the April Survey of Current Business. Revised annual estimates based on more reliable source data are published in the August Survey. These estimates are subsequently revised to incorporate newly available information used to prepare the current local area estimates. The revised State estimates, together with the current local area estimates, are published in the following April Survey. The annual estimates emerging from this process are subject to further revision for several succeeding years (the State estimates in April and August and the local area estimates in April), as additional data become available. The routine revisions of the State estimates for a given year are normally completed with the fourth April release. After that, the estimates will be changed only to incorporate a comprehensive revision in the national income and product accounts, which takes place approximately every 5 years, or to make important improvements to the estimates through the use of additional or more current State and local area data.

Estimates of personal income and employment by State, metropolitan area, and county are available through the Regional Economic Information System (REIS). The system includes an information retrieval service that provides a variety of analytical tabulations for counties and combinations of counties. All of the tabulations are available in several media. BEA also makes its regional estimates available through the BEA User Group, members of which include State agencies, universities, and Census Bureau Primary State Data Centers. BEA provides its estimates of income and employment for all States and counties to these organizations with the understanding that they will make the estimates readily available. For further information, write to the Regional Economic Measurement Division, BE-55, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or call (202) 254-6630. For specific questions, the following telephone numbers may be used:

Regional Economic Information System 1969-90 (CDROM).
Estimates of annual personal income by major source, per capita personal income, earnings by two-digit SIC industry, full- and part-time employment by one-digit SIC industry, regional economic profiles, transfer payments by major program, and farm income and expenses for States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Local Area Personal Income, 1984-89 (publication).
A publication that presents personal income by major type of payment, earnings by major industry, population, and total and per capita personal income for States, metropolitan areas, and counties. Available from GPO.

Regional Income and Employment.
For regions and States.

Quarterly Personal Income, 1969-91.
Total personal income by quarter for the United States, regions, and States.

Quarterly Personal Income by Major Source and Earnings by Industry, 1969-91.
Major sources of personal income and earnings by one-digit SIC industry by quarter for the United States, regions, and States.

Quarterly Wages and Salaries by Major Source and Major Industry, 1969-91.
Wage and salary disbursements by one-digit SIC industry by quarter for the United States, regions, and States.

Personal Income, Per Capita Personal Income, and Total Population, 1929-90.
Total and per capita personal income and population annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Personal Income by Major Source and Earnings by Industry, 1958-90.
Major sources of personal income and earnings by two-digit SIC industry annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Wage and Salary Disbursements by Industry, 1958-90.
Wages and salaries by two-digit SIC industry annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Full-Time and Part-Time Employment by Industry, 1969-90.
Total employment by place of work by two-digit SIC industry annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Full-Time and Part-Time Wage and Salary Employment by Industry, 1969-90.
Wage and salary employment by place of work by two-digit SIC industry annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Transfer Payments, 1958-90.
Transfer payments by type annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Farm Income and Expenses, 1969-90.
Major categories of farm income and expenses and gross and net farm income aggregates annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Personal Tax and Nontax Payments, 1958-90.
Personal tax and nontax payments by level of government and by type of payment (includes total and per capita disposable personal income and population) annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Disposable Personal Income, Per Capita Disposable
Personal Income, and Total Population, 1948-90. Total and per capita disposable personal income and population annually for the United States, regions, and States.

Regional Income and Employment.
For States, metropolitan areas, and counties

Personal Income, Per Capita Personal Income, and Total Population, 1969-90.
Total and per capita personal income and population annually for the United States, States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Per Capita Personal Income Ranking, 1990.
Ranking in the United States and in regions (highest and lowest 250 counties).

Personal Income by Major Source and Earnings by Major Industry, 1969-90.
Major sources of personal income and earnings by one-digit SIC industry annually for the United States, States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Personal Income by Major Source and Earnings by Industry, 1969-90.
Major sources of personal income and earnings by two-digit SIC industry annually for the United States, States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Full-Time and Part-Time Employment by Major Industry, 1969-90.
Total employment by one-digit SIC industry annually for the United States, States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Regional Economic Profile, 1969-90.
Summary of income and employment by place of work and residence annually for the United States, States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Total Wages and Salaries, Total Wage and Salary Employment,
and Average Wage Per Job, 1969-90.
Annually for the United States, States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Transfer Payments, 1969-90.
Transfer payments by type annually for the United States, States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Farm Income and Expenses, 1969-90.
Major categories of farm income and expenses and gross and net farm aggregates annually for the United States, States, and counties.

BEARFACTS, 1989-90 or 1980-90.
One-page computer-generated narrative. Describes an area's personal income using current estimates, growth rates, and a breakdown of the sources of personal income for that area for States, metropolitan areas, and counties.

Journey-To-Work, 1960, 1970, 1980.
Data on commuting flows to and from counties from decennial census: By place of work or by place of residence.

Total Commuters' Income Flows, 1969-90.
Total gross commuters' income flows (inflows and outflows) annually for all counties.

Regional analyses and projections

BEA prepares analyses to identify and measure factors that determine area differences in total and per capita income and in industry employment and output. Long-term projections of personal income, employment, and earnings by industry are prepared for all States and metropolitan areas every 5 years and for selected States and areas in other years. BEA maintains mid-term regional econometric models to forecast annual changes in economic activity and to analyze the impacts of projects and programs. In conjunction with the projections work, BEA has developed estimates of gross state product. These estimates, prepared by industry, supplement the estimates of personal income described in program description 6.0. For further information, write to the Regional Economic Analysis Division, BE-61, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or call (202) 523-0946. For specific questions, the following telephone numbers may be used:

  • Long-term regional projections (202) 523-0971
  • Mid-term regional projections (202) 523-0943
  • Regional input-output multipliers (202) 523-0586
  • Gross state product by industry (202) 523-9180

Revised Gross State Product, Annual Estimates, 1977-89.
These estimates are the State equivalent of GDP and provide the most comprehensive measure of State production now available. Gross state product is measured in current dollars as the sum of four components for each industry: Compensation of employees; proprietors' income with inventory valuation adjustment and capital consumption allowances; indirect business tax and nontax liability; and other, mainly capital-related, charges. The estimates are for the 50 States, eight BEA regions, and the United States, and for 61 industries. Estimates are in current and constant (1982) dollars. Summary estimates were published in the December 1991 Survey of Current Business.

Experimental Estimates of Gross State Product by Industry.
A description of the issues and methodology for preparing estimates of gross state product--the State equivalent of GDP. The estimates are consistent with BEA's State personal income and with GNP by industry.

Regional Multipliers: A User Handbook for the Regional
Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II) (publication).
An explanation of how to use regional input-output multipliers, by industry, for output, earnings, and employment. Includes information on how to perform systematic analyses of the regional economic impacts of projects and programs. Also contains multipliers for all States from RIMS II, sample tables of input-output multipliers, and hypothetical case studies.

BEA Regional Projections to 2040.
Estimates for 1973, 1979, 1983, and 1988, and projections for 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2020 and 2040 for total personal income, population, per capita personal income, and employment and earnings by industry for the United States, BEA regions, States, metropolitan statistical areas, and BEA economic areas. (Volume 1. States; Volume 2. Metropolitan Statistical Areas; Volume 3. BEA Economic Areas).

International Economics

BEA's international economics program encompasses the international transactions accounts (balance of payments) and the direct investment estimates. The international transactions accounts, which measure U.S.transactions with foreign countries, include merchandise trade, trade in services, the current-account balance, and capital transactions. The direct investment estimates cover estimates of U.S. direct investment abroad and foreign direct investment in the United States, income and other flows associated with these investments, and other aspects of the operations of multinational enterprises.

BEA Reports: International Reports.
Reports (usually 13 a year) with summary estimates of merchandise trade, balance of payments basis (quarterly); summary of international transactions (quarterly); international investment position (annual); capital spending by majority-owned foreign affiliates (semiannual); direct investment (annual); and related topics. Reports are available online through the EBB.

U.S. international transactions
The international transactions accounts provide a detailed and comprehensive view of economic transactions between the United States and foreign countries. The accounts include estimates of merchandise exports and imports; travel, transportation, and other services; foreign aid; and private and official capital flows, including direct investment.

Current estimates, including estimates of merchandise trade on a balance of payments basis, are reported in the March, June, September, and December issues of the Survey of Current Business. Estimates include detail for the current and capital accounts, classified by type of transaction and by area. Each June, estimates for the last 4 years are revised. Estimates of the international investment position of the United States appear in June. For specific questions, the following telephone numbers may be used:

  • Current-account analysis (202) 523-0621
  • Current-account estimates (202) 523-0625
  • Merchandise trade (202) 523-0668
  • Capital-account transactions (202) 523-0603
  • Government transactions (202) 523-0615

      U.S. Merchandise Trade Data.
      Seasonally adjusted and unadjusted exports and imports for the end-use categories used by BEA to derive trade totals on a Census basis. Series begin in 1979. Updated monthly or quarterly. Available from BEA on a subscription basis.

      US Merchandise Trade: Exports & Imports by End-Use Category, Monthly.
      Monthly end-use detail (not seasonally adjusted) on a Census basis for exports and imports for 70 countries and areas. Series begin in 1978. Updated monthly. Available from BEA.

      U.S. Merchandise Trade: Exports and Imports by End-Use Category, Quarterly.
      Quarterly end-use detail (not seasonally adjusted) on a Census basis for exports and imports for 70 countries and areas. Series begin in 1978. Updated quarterly. Available from BEA.

      U.S. Merchandise Trade: Exports and Imports by End-Use Category, Annually.
      Annual end-use detail on a Census basis for exports and imports for 70 countries and areas. Series begin in 1978. Updated annually. Available from BEA.

      Status Report on Statistical and Methodological Improvements in the U.S.
      Balance of Payments Statistics
      Reviews major problems, such as timing and coverage, in the balance of payments accounts; describes statistical and methodological improvements BEA has undertaken to resolve some of the problems; and discusses projects for future improvements.

      The Balance of Payments of the United States:
      Concepts, Data Sources, and Estimating Procedures.
      Describes in detail the methodology used in constructing the balance of payments estimates for the United States. Explains underlying principles and describes the presentation of the estimates.

Direct investment and international services
BEA conducts quarterly, annual, and benchmark surveys of U.S. direct investment abroad and of foreign direct investment in the United States. The information collected relates to the direct investment position and flows of capital, income, royalties and license fees, and other service charges between parent companies and affiliates; capital expenditures by majority-owned foreign affiliates of U.S. companies; the financial structure and operations of U.S. parent companies and their foreign affiliates; the financial structure and operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies; and U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors.

The information BEA provides on U.S. international sales and purchases of services covers cross-border (balance of payments) services transactions, sales of services abroad by nonbank majority-owned foreign affiliates of U.S. companies, and sales of services in the United States by nonbank majority-owned U.S.affiliates of foreign companies. The information on cross-border services transactions is derived from a variety of sources, including BEA surveys, surveys of other Government agencies, and non-Government sources. The information on sales of services by affiliates is obtained from BEA's benchmark and annual direct investment surveys.

For specific questions, the following telephone numbers may be used:

  • Foreign direct investment in the United States..(202) 523-0641
  • International services (202) 523-0646
  • Operations of US parent companies & their foreign affiliates (202) 523-3451
  • Operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies (202) 523-0641
  • U.S. direct investment abroad (202) 523-3451

Foreign direct investment in the United States

Foreign Direct Investment in the United States: Operations of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Companies (publication, diskette). The most detailed results of BEA's annual survey of foreign direct investment in the United States (only summary information appears in articles in the Survey of Current Business). Contains information on the financial structure and operations of nonbank U.S. affiliates of foreign direct investors. Data are classified by industry of U.S. affiliate, by country and industry of ultimate beneficial owner, and, for selected data, by industry of sales and by State. Preliminary estimates from annual surveys are released as soon as possible; revised estimates are released one year later.

Foreign Direct Investment in the United States, Final Results.
The final results of BEA's 1987 benchmark survey of foreign direct investment in the United States. Benchmark surveys are BEA's most comprehensive surveys, both in terms of companies covered and information gathered. Contains information on the financial structure and operations of the U.S. affiliates of foreign direct investors in 1987. Data are classified by industry of U.S. affiliate, by country and industry of foreign parent or ultimate beneficial owner, and, for selected data, by industry of sales and by State.

Foreign Direct Investment in the United States: Establishment Data.
This will be the first publication in a new annual series that will present detailed results from linking BEA's data for foreign-owned U.S. business enterprises to the Census Bureau's data for the establishments (or plants) of those enterprises. Detailed estimates of the number, employment, payroll, and shipments or sales of foreign-owned U.S. establishments and, for comparative purposes, of all U.S. establishments, will be presented. Data will be classified by detailed industry (4-digit SIC), by country of the ultimate beneficial owner of the investment, and by State. The BEA-Census data link project was mandated by the Foreign Direct Investment and International Financial Data Improvements Act of 1990, which authorized BEA to access confidential Census Bureau data for purposes of the link. Available from GPO.

Foreign Direct Investment in the United States:
Balance of Payments and Direct Investment Position Estimates, 1980-86.
Contains final estimates of the foreign direct investment position in the United States and balance of payments transactions between foreign parent groups and their U.S. affiliates for 1980--86. Includes estimates by country of foreign parent and industry of U.S.affiliate. Available from GPO.

Foreign Direct Investment in the United States:
Direct Investment Position and Related Capital and Income Flows.
Annual estimates of the foreign direct investment position in the United States and selected capital and income flows between U.S.affiliates and their foreign parent companies. Available from BEA.

U.S. Business Enterprises Acquired or Established by
Foreign Direct Investors, Supplementary Tables.
The results of BEA's survey of new foreign direct investments in the United States. Summary tables appeared in the May 1991 Survey of Current Business article. This set of supplementary tables contains additional detail for 1987--90 on the number of investments and investors, investment outlays, and selected operating data of the U.S. business enterprises acquired or established. Available from BEA.

Foreign Direct Investment in the United States:
Gross Product of Nonbank U.S. Affiliates, 1977-87.
Presents, by industry of U.S. affiliate and by country of ultimate beneficial owner, estimates of U.S. affiliates' gross product. Available from BEA.

A Guide to BEA Statistics on Foreign Direct Investment in the US.
Explains the types of data on foreign direct investment in the United States that are collected and published by BEA and clarifies the differences between those data sets. This article appeared in the February 1990 Survey of Current Business.

U.S. direct investment abroad

U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: 1989 Benchmark Survey, Preliminary Results.
Preliminary results of BEA's 1989 benchmark survey of U.S. direct investment abroad. Benchmark surveys are BEA's most comprehensive surveys, both in terms of companies covered and information gathered. Presents a detailed account of U.S. direct investment abroad in 1989, including data on balance sheets; income statements; employment; employee compensation; U.S. merchandise trade; sales of goods and services; research and development expenditures; property, plant, and equipment; and taxes. Data are classified by country and industry of affiliate and industry of U.S.parent.

U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Operations of U.S. Parent Companies
and Their Foreign Affiliates.
The most detailed results of BEA's annual survey of the worldwide operations of U.S.multinational companies (only summary information appears in the Survey of Current Business). Contains information on the financial structure and operations of both U.S. parent companies and their foreign affiliates. Data are classified by country and industry of foreign affiliate and by industry of U.S.parent. Preliminary estimates from annual surveys are released as soon as possible; revised estimates are released one year later.

U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Balance of Payments and
Direct Investment Position Estimates, 1977-81.
Contains final estimates of the U.S. direct investment position abroad and balance of payments transactions between U.S. parent companies and their foreign affiliates for 1977-81. Includes estimates by country and industry of foreign affiliate. Available from BEA.

U.S. Direct Investment Abroad, Country by Industry Estimates, 1950-90.
Annual estimates of the U.S. direct investment position abroad and of selected capital and income flows between U.S.parent companies and their foreign affiliates. Estimates are for 56 countries by 7 industries for 1950-65, 56 countries by 14 industries for 1966-76, 76 countries by 15 industries for 1977-81, and 80 countries by 15 industries for 1982-90. Available from BEA.

U.S.International Sales and Purchases of Services.
Presents information on services in a more detailed and unified format than has been available previously. Includes data on cross-border transactions in services (for 1987-90) and on sales of services by foreign affiliates of U.S. companies and by U.S. affiliates of foreign companies (for 1988-89). This article appeared in the September 1991 Survey of Current Business; data are updated annually.

Other Tools for Measuring, Analyzing, and Forecasting
BEA's work on economic accounts is supplemented by various other tools for measuring, analyzing, and forecasting economic developments. These include a system of business cycle indicators and a set of estimates relating to the environment.

Business cycle indicators
BEA maintains a system of indicators to track business cycles. The system features the composite indexes of leading, coincident, and lagging indicators. The data base includes series classified as cyclical indicators (because they conform well to broad fluctuations in economic activity), as well as other series useful in interpreting the economic situation and outlook. Each month preliminary values of the three composite indexes for the latest month and revised values for the 5 preceding months are released. Once a year, in the fall, the composite indexes are recalculated for recent years to incorporate historical revisions in component data. Information on composite indexes appears each month in the Business Cycle Indicators section (C-pages) of the Survey of Current Business. For further information, write to the Business Outlook Division, BE-52, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or call (202) 523-0800. A recorded telephone message at (202) 898-2450 provides current data for the composite indexes (and the leading index components)immediately upon their release.

Reports: Composite Indexes of Leading, Coincident, and Lagging Indicators.
Monthly reports with summary estimates of the composite indexes. Reports are available online through the EBB. Printed reports are mailed the day after estimates are released. The printed composite index reports are available from BEA on a subscription basis.

Cyclical Indicators Methodology.
Reprints of two articles that appeared in the Survey of Current Business. "Composite Indexes of Leading, Coincident, and Lagging Indicators" from the November 1987 issue summarizes the selection and classification of the composite index components and the method of construction of the indexes. "Business Cycle Indicators: Revised Composite Indexes" from the January 1989 issue describes the changes in components, the changes in methodology for computing the indexes, the updating of seasonal factors, and the historical revisions in component data that were incorporated in the March 1989 revision of the composite indexes.Available from BEA.

Business Cycle Indicators Current Data.
Data for the last 4 calendar years (plus data for earlier years if revised) for all series in the Business Cycle Indicators (C-pages) section of the Survey of Current Business. Includes data for about 270 series; most are monthly series. Updated monthly. Available online through the EBB.

Business Cycle Indicators Historical Data.
Historical data (from 1945, when available, to the present) for all series in the Business Cycle Indicators (C-pages) section of the Survey of Current Business (about 270 series). Updated monthly. Available online through the EBB.

Environmental Estimates

BEA maintains a set of annual current- and constant-dollar estimates of capital expenditures and operating costs for pollution abatement and control. These estimates, which are prepared within the framework of the national income and product accounts, are classified by sector (consumers, business, and government) and by element of the environment affected (air, land, and water). The most recent Survey of Current Business article reporting the capital expenditures appeared in November 1988, and the most recent article reporting the total expenditures (including operating costs)appeared in November 1991. For further information, write to the Environmental Economics Division, BE-62, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or call (202) 523-0687.

For specific questions, the following telephone numbers may be used:

BEA Reports: Pollution Abatement and Control Expenditures.
News release on annual pollution abatement and control expenditures. Available online through the EBB. Printed release available by calling or writing the Environmental Economics Division.

Stocks and Underlying Data for Air and Water Pollution
Abatement Plant and Equipment (printout).
Estimates of the gross and net capital stocks at historical, constant, and current cost; estimates of capital expenditures in constant and current dollars; price indexes by media (air and water) and for selected industry groups (manufacturing, electric utilities, and other nonmanufacturing); and estimates of lifetimes by media for pollution abatement plant and equipment. Available from BEA.