Real GDP growth (annualized)
How fast real (inflation-adjusted) GDP grew from the prior quarter, expressed at an annual rate. The most basic measure of the U.S. economy's growth pace.
Key points
How to read it
Annualized (SAAR) means the rate if that quarter's pace continued for a year. Positive = expansion, negative = contraction. Two negative quarters is one rule of thumb for recession. Figures get revised (advance → second → third).
Trend
Year by year
Shows annualized quarterly growth (SAAR) from 2016-10 to 2026-04, grouped by calendar year.
| Year | Average | Year-end | High | Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (months 1–4) | +2.4% | +2.2% | +2.5% | +2.2% |
| 2025 | +2.0% | +0.2% | +4.0% | +0.1% |
| 2024 | +2.6% | +2.4% | +3.6% | +1.4% |
| 2023 | +3.4% | +3.6% | +4.5% | +2.2% |
| 2022 | +1.2% | +2.7% | +2.7% | -1.0% |
| 2021 | +5.8% | +6.8% | +7.1% | +3.2% |
| 2020 | +1.6% | +4.6% | +34.9% | -28.0% |
| 2019 | +3.4% | +2.8% | +4.8% | +2.5% |
| 2018 | +2.1% | +0.6% | +3.3% | +0.6% |
| 2017 | +3.0% | +4.6% | +4.6% | +2.0% |
| 2016 (months 10–10) | +2.2% | +2.2% | +2.2% | +2.2% |
Recent trend
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-01 | 2.2 | -0.3 |
| 2026-01-01 | 2.5 | +2.3 |
| 2025-10-01 | 0.2 | -3.7 |
| 2025-07-01 | 3.9 | -0.1 |
| 2025-04-01 | 4 | +3.9 |
| 2025-01-01 | 0.1 | -2.3 |
| 2024-10-01 | 2.4 | -0.8 |
| 2024-07-01 | 3.2 | -0.4 |
| 2024-04-01 | 3.6 | +2.2 |
| 2024-01-01 | 1.4 | -2.2 |
| 2023-10-01 | 3.6 | -0.9 |
| 2023-07-01 | 4.5 | +2.3 |
FAQ
Real GDP growth (annualized): what is the latest reading?
What does "annualized" mean?
What signals a recession?
Sources (primary)
This article is an independent summary based on the official U.S. data below. Please verify the latest and exact details with the official sources.
- FRED (series page)：A191RL1Q225SBEA
- Source agency：U.S. BEA
- FRED last updated：2026-09-30 07:59:38-05
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