The economic recovery in historical perspective

Balance sheets are relatively healthy

The budget deficit has fallen and fiscal projections have improved

Inflation is running below the FOMC objective

Stock market indexes have reached nominal highs and P/E ratios are above historical averages

Output after the crisis

Labour market trends are mixed

Disability benefit applications and awards have increased

Well-being is high, but not for all

Income growth has varied considerably across groups

Cash incomes of bottom 10% have stagnated

American families are facing rising time pressures

The US minimum wage has fallen behind

The US lags behind in early education spending

Job protected maternity and parental leave in OECD countries, 2011

Low-wage workers have fewer benefits in the private sector (2013)

Natural gas has increased its importance in energy consumption, 1910-2012

The energy sector is expanding

US natural gas prices have diverged from oil prices and international gas prices

Some progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Working time has increased in the manufacturing sector

Convergence of men and women labour-market participation

Working time challenges vary across income groups

Public spending supporting families is low in the United States

Raising the federal minimum wage would have ripple effects

The American poor are a heterogeneous group

Early childhood education is not well developed

Fewer children are enrolled in early childhood and primary education

Production and reserves of oil and natural gas are rising

Shale gas reserves and production are concentrated in a few states

The shale boom is boosting employment and net exports

Growth in the oil and gas mining sectors is fast in some states

Oil and gas prices have diverged

Adjusted national savings (2008)

Average annual productivity growth with and without natural capital

Variation in electricity demand is growing

Coal production has fallen while exports have risen