EconoFact
@econofact.bsky.social
A non-partisan publication by Tufts University @fletcherschool.bsky.social , bringing facts and incisive analysis to the national debate on economic and social policies.
https://econofact.org/
https://econofact.org/
Why has the price of gold risen so sharply? Charles Collyns and @mwkleinphd.bsky.social explain: econofact.org/why-has-the-...
Why Has the Price of Gold Risen So Sharply? | Econofact
Gold has a long history of being held as a financial asset by private investors and central banks, which can be the source of large shifts in its price.
econofact.org
January 21, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Why has the price of gold risen so sharply? Charles Collyns and @mwkleinphd.bsky.social explain: econofact.org/why-has-the-...
An aggregate trade deficit is not by itself evidence of economic weakness. In fact, there have been times when stronger GDP growth is associated with increasing trade deficits. econofact.org/does-interna...
Does International Trade Hurt the United States? | Econofact
The U.S. has been running a trade deficit every year since 1975. However, both exports and imports have more than doubled since the beginning of this period.
econofact.org
January 17, 2026 at 3:25 AM
An aggregate trade deficit is not by itself evidence of economic weakness. In fact, there have been times when stronger GDP growth is associated with increasing trade deficits. econofact.org/does-interna...
The trend towards increased legal independence for central banks has been met with near-unanimous approval by economists, as independence insulates the central bank from pressure to stimulate the economy for political gain, which eventually tends to increase inflation. econofact.org/the-erosion-...
The Erosion of Central Bank Independence | Econofact
Legal independence for central banks has increased around the world. But it is not a one-way road. What conditions lead to an erosion of autonomy?
econofact.org
January 16, 2026 at 1:59 AM
The trend towards increased legal independence for central banks has been met with near-unanimous approval by economists, as independence insulates the central bank from pressure to stimulate the economy for political gain, which eventually tends to increase inflation. econofact.org/the-erosion-...
A reform of the US's main source of residential flood insurance is changing the price of premiums, impacting take up and coverage. More in this memo by Francesc Ortega and Ivan Petkov
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Fewer US Homes Are Insured Against Floods, Even as Risks Are Rising | Econofact
The US's main source of flood insurance has undergone the biggest reform since it inception. Will it help reduce Americans’ financial exposure to flooding?
econofact.org
December 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A reform of the US's main source of residential flood insurance is changing the price of premiums, impacting take up and coverage. More in this memo by Francesc Ortega and Ivan Petkov
econofact.org/fewer-us-hom...
econofact.org/fewer-us-hom...
@markzandi.bsky.social joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the state of the economy, focusing on consumer sentiment, Fed Independence, and likely trends in inflation, unemployment, and GDP growth in early 2026.
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The Uncertain and Uneven Economy | Econofact Chats
Mark Zandi discusses the state of the economy, focusing on consumer sentiment, Fed Independence, and likely trends in inflation, unemployment, and GDP growth in early 2026.
econofact.org
December 17, 2025 at 11:48 PM
@markzandi.bsky.social joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the state of the economy, focusing on consumer sentiment, Fed Independence, and likely trends in inflation, unemployment, and GDP growth in early 2026.
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econofact.org/podcast/the-...
How can state-level policies reduce food insecurity?
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The Potential for State Policies to Improve Child Food Insecurity | Econofact
State minimum wage and refundable state earned income tax credit (EITC) policies can reduce food insecurity among economically at-risk households with children.
econofact.org
December 16, 2025 at 7:05 PM
How can state-level policies reduce food insecurity?
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Food insecurity rates in U.S. households with children average at least twice as high among Black and Hispanic families when compared to White ones.
Read more ➡️ econofact.org/the-pandemic...
Read more ➡️ econofact.org/the-pandemic...
November 25, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Food insecurity rates in U.S. households with children average at least twice as high among Black and Hispanic families when compared to White ones.
Read more ➡️ econofact.org/the-pandemic...
Read more ➡️ econofact.org/the-pandemic...
Are tariffs raising US retail prices? Recent data indicates goods prices have indeed been increasing in response to tariffs, although the magnitude of price increases remains modest relative to the announced tariff rates. econofact.org/are-tariffs-...
Are Tariffs Raising U.S. Retail Prices? | Econofact
Prices of over 350,000 products at major U.S. retailers show a slow and gradual pass-through of tariffs to consumers. Both imports and U.S.-made goods are affected.
econofact.org
November 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Are tariffs raising US retail prices? Recent data indicates goods prices have indeed been increasing in response to tariffs, although the magnitude of price increases remains modest relative to the announced tariff rates. econofact.org/are-tariffs-...
Recent college graduates starting out their professional careers are particularly vulnerable to economic conditions. Young workers graduating into a recession face worse employment prospects relative to peers who graduated just before or after the recession. econofact.org/the-lasting-...
The Lasting Scars From Graduating in a Recession | Econofact
Graduating college in a downturn can have lasting career impacts. Worsening trends for new graduates raise concerns for those graduating in the COVID recession.
econofact.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Recent college graduates starting out their professional careers are particularly vulnerable to economic conditions. Young workers graduating into a recession face worse employment prospects relative to peers who graduated just before or after the recession. econofact.org/the-lasting-...
While individuals may become homeless for many reasons, overall variations in homelessness are closely associated with the availability of affordable housing. Charles Collyns (EconoFact) explains why the US homeless population has been rising: econofact.org/why-has-the-...
Why Has the US Homeless Population Been Rising? | Econofact
In 2024, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the United States on a single night was the highest since survey records began. Why is this?
econofact.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 AM
While individuals may become homeless for many reasons, overall variations in homelessness are closely associated with the availability of affordable housing. Charles Collyns (EconoFact) explains why the US homeless population has been rising: econofact.org/why-has-the-...
While changes in the rate of immigration have a complex fiscal impact, projections suggest that on balance, higher immigration tends to reduce the government deficit and support social security payments for the retired.
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How Tighter Curbs on Immigration Impact the U.S. Economy | Econofact
Immigration has accounted for almost half of U.S. labor force growth since 1995. Slower labor force growth would negatively impact employment and GDP growth.
econofact.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
While changes in the rate of immigration have a complex fiscal impact, projections suggest that on balance, higher immigration tends to reduce the government deficit and support social security payments for the retired.
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How might a fiscal crisis in the U.S. come about? And how might it be avoided? Greg Mankiw discusses in this episode of EconoFact Chats.
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On Debt, Fiscal Crises, and AI | Econofact Chats
Greg Mankiw discusses some of the key economic challenges facing the U.S.
econofact.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM
How might a fiscal crisis in the U.S. come about? And how might it be avoided? Greg Mankiw discusses in this episode of EconoFact Chats.
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College sports are undergoing rapid and profound transformation. Andrew Zimbalist analyses the economic impact of the recent changes.
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The Evolving Economics of College Sports | Econofact
A suit settlement that allows colleges to pay student athletes and other changes are upending the economics of college sports. But much remains uncertain.
econofact.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
College sports are undergoing rapid and profound transformation. Andrew Zimbalist analyses the economic impact of the recent changes.
econofact.org/the-evolving...
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In spite of rising flood risks, the number of flood insurance policies in the United States has been going down. econofact.org/fewer-us-hom...
Fewer US Homes Are Insured Against Floods, Even as Risks Are Rising | Econofact
The US's main source of flood insurance has undergone the biggest reform since it inception. Will it help reduce Americans’ financial exposure to flooding?
econofact.org
November 16, 2025 at 10:51 PM
In spite of rising flood risks, the number of flood insurance policies in the United States has been going down. econofact.org/fewer-us-hom...
Recent research in the US and elsewhere finds that when labor markets are tight and firms have a hard time finding workers, immigration helps firm growth and increases firm formation, with no negative impact on wages of natives. econofact.org/immigration-...
Immigration and Waning US Labor Force Growth | Econofact
The growth of the working-age population born in the U.S. has slowed dramatically — particularly among less-educated workers. Has immigration filled the gap?
econofact.org
November 16, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Recent research in the US and elsewhere finds that when labor markets are tight and firms have a hard time finding workers, immigration helps firm growth and increases firm formation, with no negative impact on wages of natives. econofact.org/immigration-...
How has repealing Roe V. Wade impacted abortion trends in the U.S.?
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What Impact Has Repealing Roe v. Wade Had So Far? | Econofact
New research is finding evidence that differences in abortion access are contributing to diverging outcomes for women, infants, and families across states.
econofact.org
November 15, 2025 at 11:47 PM
How has repealing Roe V. Wade impacted abortion trends in the U.S.?
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Leslie Boissiere (@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social) joined EconoFact Chats to discuss the effectiveness of public policy in reducing child poverty.
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Can Government Support Reduce Child Poverty? | Econofact Chats
A discussion with Leslie Boissiere on the long-run economic and social costs of childhood poverty, and the role of public policy in addressing this problem.
econofact.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Leslie Boissiere (@annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social) joined EconoFact Chats to discuss the effectiveness of public policy in reducing child poverty.
econofact.org/podcast/can-...
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Jeffrey Zabel explains the factors making U.S. housing less affordable
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Prospects for Improving Housing Affordability | Econofact
Housing affordability in the United States has declined markedly since the pandemic and spread beyond historically high-priced coastal cities.
econofact.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Jeffrey Zabel explains the factors making U.S. housing less affordable
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A large fiscal deficit, and high and rising public debt, especially in the context of high interest rates, raise concerns about the long-term health of the US economy. econofact.org/the-united-s...
The United States’ Fiscal Policy in a Global Context | Econofact
Public debt in the United States is projected to rise faster and reach higher levels than in most other advanced economies.
econofact.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A large fiscal deficit, and high and rising public debt, especially in the context of high interest rates, raise concerns about the long-term health of the US economy. econofact.org/the-united-s...
Recent changes in US policies have altered trade relationships and the international role of the dollar. Oleg Itskhoki joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the sources and consequences of these shifts.
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The United States’ Role in a Changing International Economy | Econofact Chats
Recent changes in US policies have altered trade relationships and the international role of the dollar. Oleg Itskhoki discusses the sources and consequences of these shifts.
econofact.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Recent changes in US policies have altered trade relationships and the international role of the dollar. Oleg Itskhoki joins EconoFact Chats to discuss the sources and consequences of these shifts.
econofact.org/podcast/the-...
econofact.org/podcast/the-...
Christopher Towe explains why recent tariff measures will only have a modest impact on the US trade deficit.
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Tariff Wars and the United States Trade Deficit | Econofact
The recent tariff hikes will have only a limited impact on the U.S. trade deficit, at the cost of a significant worsening of U.S. and global economic prospects.
econofact.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Christopher Towe explains why recent tariff measures will only have a modest impact on the US trade deficit.
econofact.org/tariff-wars-...
econofact.org/tariff-wars-...
The US federal debt as a share of GDP is close to its highest level ever and projected to keep increasing. Higher interest rates will add to the cost of servicing the debt. econofact.org/the-cost-of-...
The Cost of Financing U.S. Government Debt | Econofact
The relatively short maturity structure of US government debt means that increases in interest rates translate rapidly into higher interest costs.
econofact.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The US federal debt as a share of GDP is close to its highest level ever and projected to keep increasing. Higher interest rates will add to the cost of servicing the debt. econofact.org/the-cost-of-...
What are government shutdowns and how do they impact the economy? Bill Gale and Ian Berlin (@brookings.edu) discuss in this EconoFact memo: econofact.org/can-we-put-a...
Can We Put a Stop to the Recurrent Threat of Government Shutdowns? (Updated) | Econofact
Shutdowns can cost the government more than regular operations and can hurt the economy. There have been over 20 shutdowns in the past 50 years.
econofact.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
What are government shutdowns and how do they impact the economy? Bill Gale and Ian Berlin (@brookings.edu) discuss in this EconoFact memo: econofact.org/can-we-put-a...
An increased focus on deportations could also reduce police effectiveness if victims of crime become less likely to report incidents to the police out of fear. econofact.org/can-heighten...
Can Heightened Immigration Enforcement Increase Crime? | Econofact
A program that increased deportations reduced the likelihood that Hispanic victims would report crimes to the police and increased crime in Hispanic communities
econofact.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:42 PM
An increased focus on deportations could also reduce police effectiveness if victims of crime become less likely to report incidents to the police out of fear. econofact.org/can-heighten...
China is the world’s largest supplier and processor of rare earth elements. Dependence on China for these minerals remains a vulnerability in the manufacturing supply chains for many military and high technology products.
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Can the U.S. Reduce Its Reliance on Imported Rare Earth Elements? | Econofact
The U.S. depends on China for rare earth components in many military and high-tech products. Building an alternative rare earth supply chain is years away.
econofact.org
October 29, 2025 at 8:06 PM
China is the world’s largest supplier and processor of rare earth elements. Dependence on China for these minerals remains a vulnerability in the manufacturing supply chains for many military and high technology products.
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