From stubbornly high living costs to a softer labor market, economists say these are the forces that will shape the year ahead.

Economists may have a pretty dismal record with predictions. But we're still interested in what they see in their non-existent crystal balls.

Discover how the economy impacts employability and explore essential skills that enhance job prospects, from technical to soft skills, for career success.

Most adults (68 percent) now say economic conditions are getting worse, compared with 29 percent who think they’re improving, according to Gallup. That gap has widened since the beginning of 2025.

The economy in 2025 was filled with contradictions, as growth was healthy while hiring slowed, inflation stayed elevated and unemployment rose.

Explore the size of America’s underground economy. Discover what activities this economy includes, and how it affects taxes, jobs, and the broader U.S. economy.

The U.S. economy chugs into the new year in stronger shape than many forecasters had expected. But Americans remain wary about the high cost of living.

The White House has been quite eager to tout that data because U.S. markets appear to be up—a fair bit. Aides often crow about new market highs. And Trump often claims that the United States is “the hottest country anywhere in the world,” and that all foreign leaders admit it.

Spending related to AI accounted for about a quarter of GDP growth in the first half of 2025, Joel Naroff writes. This year, it could be even more important.

The global economy faced many hurdles in 2025. The U.S. government upended longstanding economic wisdom in a manner many economists feared would harm both the American economy and those of other countries.

President Donald Trump believes US companies can revive Venezuela’s beleaguered oil industry, benefiting both that nation and America. But even if that happens, it would be a fraction of changes needed to get the destitute country back on its feet.