Thursday, April 30, 2026

Real GDP for 1Q2026 was reported today at 2.0% seasonally adjusted annual rate, and it continues to underperform both the Reagan era and the post-war era

It's a long way down from 8.1% in 1Q1984 to 2.0% in 1Q2026. 

GDPC1 compound annual growth rates:

Trump era to now 1Q2017-1Q2026: 2.476%

Mid-Reagan era to Trump 1Q1984-1Q2017: 2.707%

Post-war to Reagan 1Q1947-1Q1984: 3.585%

Trump underperforms the post-war by 31% . . . and Reagan by 9%. MAGA is purely aspirational.

Reagan to Trump underperformed the post-war by 24%.

The compound annual growth rate of real GDP from Reagan to now is 2.657%, underperforming the post-war by 26%.

This is why the kids don't have full-time jobs, kids of their own, and homes to raise them in.

 

trend for percent change for real dollars

trend for percent change for the rate