Economics and Statistics
Administration
The United States is the world’s economic information leader, due in large part to the timely, accurate data and analyses
produced by the agencies of the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA). These agencies, the Census Bureau
and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), collect vital demographic and economic data through the decennial
census and other surveys, and produce key economic measures such as the gross domestic product (GDP) and the balance of
payments. The data produced by BEA and the Census Bureau and the analyses produced by ESA headquarters affect the lives
of all Americans by providing the President, Congress, local communities, and businesses with the information they need to
make sound decisions.
ESA Headquarters
ESA headquarters (comprised of the Office of the Under Secretary, the Chief Economist, and STAT-USA) has four main roles:
(1) to provide executive direction, management, financial analysis, and administrative support to all ESA agencies; (2) to
evaluate current economic conditions; (3) to provide economic policy analysis; and (4) to provide data dissemination services.
The Office of the Under Secretary provides leadership and executive oversight of all activities of ESA. The Chief Economist
is assisted by the Office of Economic Conditions and the Office of Policy Development. The Office of Economic Conditions
monitors and interprets major new economic statistics with the goal of anticipating the future directions of the economy.
The Office of Policy Development conducts research on the factors contributing to U.S. industrial strength and the relationship
between industry performance and economic growth, including recent major studies on the scope and economic impacts of
electronic commerce. Data dissemination services are provided by STAT-USA, an easy-to-use “one-stop shop” that provides
a focal point for business, economic, and trade statistics.
All resource requirements of ESA headquarters, including STAT-USA, are shown on the Resource