Accessible Version
Table data for charts presented with Summary of Economic Projections given within the FOMC Minutes on March 19-20, 2013.
Figure 1. Central tendencies and ranges of economic projections, 2013-15 and over the longer run
Central tendencies and ranges of economic projections for years 2013 through 2015 and over the longer run. Actual values for years 2008 through 2012.
Change in real GDP
Percent
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actual | (3.3) | (0.1) | 2.4 | 2.0 | 1.6 | - | - | - | - |
Upper End of Range | - | - | - | - | - | 3.0 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.0 |
Upper End of Central Tendency | - | - | - | - | - | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
Lower End of Central Tendency | - | - | - | - | - | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.3 |
Lower End of Range | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.0 |
Unemployment rate
Percent
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actual | 6.9 | 9.9 | 9.5 | 8.7 | 7.8 | - | - | - | - |
Upper End of Range | - | - | - | - | - | 7.6 | 7.1 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
Upper End of Central Tendency | - | - | - | - | - | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
Lower End of Central Tendency | - | - | - | - | - | 7.3 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 5.2 |
Lower End of Range | - | - | - | - | - | 6.9 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
PCE inflation
Percent
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actual | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 1.6 | - | - | - | - |
Upper End of Range | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.0 |
Upper End of Central Tendency | - | - | - | - | - | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Lower End of Central Tendency | - | - | - | - | - | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 2.0 |
Lower End of Range | - | - | - | - | - | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.0 |
Core PCE inflation
Percent
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actual | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 1.5 | - | - | - | - |
Upper End of Range | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.6 | n.a. |
Upper End of Central Tendency | - | - | - | - | - | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.1 | n.a. |
Lower End of Central Tendency | - | - | - | - | - | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.8 | n.a. |
Lower End of Range | - | - | - | - | - | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.7 | n.a. |
Note: Definitions of variables are in the notes to table 1. The data for the actual values of the variables are annual.
Figure 2. Overview of FOMC participants' assessments of appropriate monetary policy
Appropriate timing of policy firming
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Number of participants | 1 | 4 | 13 | 1 |
Note: In the upper panel, the height of each bar denotes the number of FOMC participants who judge that, under appropriate monetary policy, the first increase in the target federal funds rate from its current range of 0 to 1/4 percent will occur in the specified calendar year. In December 2012, the numbers of FOMC participants who judged that the first increase in the target federal funds rate would occur in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 were, respectively, 2, 3, 13, and 1.
Appropriate pace of policy firming
Number of participants with projected targets
Target federal funds rate at year-end (Percent) |
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 - 0.37 | 18 | 14 | 1 | |
0.38 - 0.62 | 1 | 7 | ||
0.63 - 0.87 | 1 | |||
0.88 - 1.12 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
1.13 - 1.37 | 4 | |||
1.38 - 1.62 | ||||
1.63 - 1.87 | 1 | |||
1.88 - 2.12 | 1 | |||
2.13 - 2.37 | ||||
2.38 -2.62 | ||||
2.63 - 2.87 | 1 | |||
2.88 - 3.12 | 1 | |||
3.13 - 3.37 | 1 | |||
3.38 - 3.62 | 2 | |||
3.63 - 3.87 | 1 | 1 | ||
3.88 - 4.12 | 9 | |||
4.13 - 4.37 | 3 | |||
4.38 - 4.62 | 1 | 3 |
Note: In the lower panel, each shaded circle indicates the value (rounded to the nearest 1/4 percentage point) of an individual participant's judgment of the appropriate level of the target federal funds rate at the end of the specified calendar year or over the longer run.
Figure 3.A. Distribution of participants' projections for the change in real GDP, 2013-15 and over the longer run
Histograms, four panels. Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Number of Participants
Percent range | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
|
2 - 2.1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
2.2 - 2.3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
2.4 - 2.5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
2.6 - 2.7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.8 - 2.9 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
3 - 3.1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
3.2 - 3.3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
3.4 - 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
3.6 - 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
3.8 - 3.9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
4 - 4.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
4.2 - 4.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
NOTE: Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Figure 3.B. Distribution of participants' projections for the unemployment rate, 2013-15 and over the longer run
Histograms, four panels. Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Number of Participants
Percent range | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
|
5 - 5.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
5.2 - 5.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
5.4 - 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 |
5.6 - 5.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
5.8 - 5.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
6 - 6.1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
6.2 - 6.3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
6.4 - 6.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
6.6 - 6.7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
6.8 - 6.9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
7 - 7.1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7.2 - 7.3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7.4 - 7.5 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7.6 - 7.7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7.8 - 7.9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NOTE: Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Figure 3.C. Distribution of participants' projections for PCE inflation, 2013-15 and over the longer run
Histograms, four panels. Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Number of Participants
Percent range | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
December projections |
September projections |
|
1.3 - 1.4 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1.5 - 1.6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
1.7 - 1.8 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
1.9 - 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 19 | 19 |
2.1 - 2.2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2.3 - 2.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.5 - 2.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NOTE: Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Figure 3.D. Distribution of participants' projections for core PCE inflation, 2013-15
Histograms, three panels. Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Number of Participants
Percent range | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
|
1.5 - 1.6 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
1.7 - 1.8 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
1.9 - 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
2.1 - 2.2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
2.3 - 2.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.5 - 2.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
NOTE: Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Figure 3.E. Distribution of participants' projections for the target federal funds rate, 2013-15 and over the longer run
Histograms, four panels. Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Number of Participants
Percent range | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Longer Run | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
March projections |
December projections |
|
0 - 0.37 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
0.38 - 0.62 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
0.63 - 0.87 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
0.88 - 1.12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
1.13 - 1.37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
1.38 - 1.62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1.63 - 1.87 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1.88 - 2.12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2.13 - 2.37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.38 - 2.62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2.63 - 2.87 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.88 - 3.12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
3.13 - 3.37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
3.38 - 3.62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
3.63 - 3.87 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
3.88 - 4.12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 5 |
4.13 - 4.37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
4.38 - 4.62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
NOTE: Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Figure 4. Uncertainty and risks in economic projections
Histograms, eight panels. For definitions of uncertainty and risks in economic projections, see the box "Forecast Uncertainty." Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.
Uncertainty about GDP growth
Number of participants
Lower | Broadly similar | Higher | |
---|---|---|---|
March projections | 0 | 7 | 12 |
December projections | 0 | 1 | 18 |
Uncertainty about Unemployment rate
Number of participants
Lower | Broadly similar | Higher | |
---|---|---|---|
March projections | 0 | 7 | 12 |
December projections | 0 | 2 | 17 |
Uncertainty about PCE inflation
Number of participants
Lower | Broadly similar | Higher | |
---|---|---|---|
March projections | 3 | 10 | 6 |
December projections | 2 | 10 | 7 |
Uncertainty about Core PCE inflation
Number of participants
Lower | Broadly similar | Higher | |
---|---|---|---|
March projections | 3 | 10 | 6 |
December projections | 2 | 10 | 7 |
Risks to GDP Growth
Number of participants
Weighted to downside | Broadly balanced | Weighted to upside | |
---|---|---|---|
March projections | 8 | 11 | 0 |
December projections | 13 | 6 | 0 |
Risks to Unemployment rate
Number of participants
Weighted to downside | Broadly balanced | Weighted to upside | |
---|---|---|---|
March projections | 1 | 11 | 7 |
December projections | 0 | 6 | 13 |
Risks to PCE inflation
Number of participants
Weighted to downside | Broadly balanced | Weighted to upside | |
---|---|---|---|
March projections | 4 | 13 | 2 |
December projections | 3 | 14 | 2 |
Risks to Core PCE inflation
Number of participants
Weighted to downside | Broadly balanced | Weighted to upside | |
---|---|---|---|
March projections | 4 | 13 | 2 |
December projections | 3 | 14 | 2 |
NOTE: For definitions of uncertainty and risks in economic projections, see the box "Forecast Uncertainty." Definitions of variables are in the general note to table 1.