Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, after increasing 3.2 percent in the third quarter. The increase in the fourth quarter primarily reflected increases in inventory investment and consumer spending that were partly offset by a decrease in housing investment.
The deceleration in the fourth quarter primarily reflected a downturn in exports and decelerations in business investment, state and local government spending, and consumer spending. These movements were partly offset by an upturn in inventory investment, an acceleration in federal government spending, and a smaller decrease in housing investment. Imports decreased less in the fourth quarter than in the third quarter. For more details, including source data, refer to the Technical Note.
GDP Highlights
The fourth-quarter increase in real GDP reflected increases in inventory investment, consumer spending, government spending, and business investment that were partly offset by decreases in housing investment and exports. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, decreased.
- The increase in private inventory investment was led by manufacturing (mainly petroleum and coal products as well as chemicals) and mining, utilities, and construction industries (led by utilities).
- The increase in consumer spending reflected an increase in services (led by health care, housing and utilities, and "other" services) and goods (led by motor vehicles and parts).
- The decrease in housing investment was led by new single-family housing construction and brokers’ commissions.
Personal income and saving
- The increase in consumer spending reflected an increase in services that was partly offset by a decrease in goods. Within services, the leading contributors to the increase were “other” services (mainly international travel), food services and accommodations, and health care. Within goods, the leading contributors to the decrease were food and beverages as well as motor vehicles and parts.
- The increase in exports reflected increases in both goods and services. Within goods, the leading contributor was nondurable industrial supplies and materials. Within services, the leading contributor was travel.
- The increase in private inventory investment primarily reflected increases in manufacturing, wholesale trade, and retail trade industries.
- The decrease in housing investment reflected new single-family construction and brokers’ commissions.
For more information, read the full release.