Legal Definitions - Economics and Statistics Administration

The Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) is a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its main job is to make sure that the government's statistics are accurate and reliable. It also provides information and analysis to the Department of Commerce and other parts of the government.

The ESA includes three organizations: the Bureau of the Census, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and STAT-USA. The Bureau of the Census collects data about the population and economy of the United States. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides information about the economy, such as how much money people are making and spending. STAT-USA is an online service that provides economic information to businesses and government agencies.

One example of the ESA's work is making sure that the unemployment rate is calculated correctly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is part of the Department of Labor, collects data about how many people are employed and how many are looking for work. The ESA makes sure that this data is accurate and that the unemployment rate is calculated correctly.

Another example is providing information about international trade. The Bureau of Economic Analysis collects data about how much the United States is buying and selling with other countries. This information is important for businesses that want to export their products or import materials from other countries.