Durante el cuarto trimestre de 2024, la economía de Estados Unidos presentó una desaceleración en su crecimiento, aumentando a un ritmo anualizado del 2.3%, una bajada en comparación con el 3.1% registrado el trimestre anterior. Este enfriamiento se produjo a pesar de un fuerte gasto de los consumidores, que creció a una tasa del 4.2% en el mismo lapso de tiempo.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the United States economy experienced a deceleration in growth, expanding at an annualized rate of 2.3%, a decline from the 3.1% observed in the previous quarter. This slowdown occurred despite robust consumer spending, which surged at a 4.2% rate during the same period.
Consumer Spending Remains Strong
Elementos que Contribuyen a la Desaceleración
Varios factores influyeron en la tasa de crecimiento moderada:
Several elements contributed to the moderated growth rate:
- Weak Business Investment: There was a notable decline in business spending, particularly in equipment and structures, which restrained overall economic expansion.
- Widening Trade Deficit: A surge in imports led to a record goods trade deficit, which negatively impacted the gross domestic product (GDP). The increased importation of goods indicates strong domestic demand but also means that more spending is directed toward foreign products, subtracting from GDP growth.
Inflation and Monetary Policy
Dinámicas del Mercado Laboral
El mercado laboral mostró resistencia, con un incremento de 154,000 empleos en las nóminas no agrícolas en diciembre, tras una subida de 227,000 en noviembre. La tasa de desempleo se mantuvo estable en 4.2%, indicando un entorno laboral constante. Sin embargo, el sector servicios experimentó una desaceleración, con el índice de gerentes de compras no manufactureras del Instituto de Gestión de Suministros cayendo a 52.1 en noviembre desde 56.0 en octubre, lo que sugiere una moderación en las actividades relacionadas con los servicios.
The labor market demonstrated resilience, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 154,000 jobs in December, following a surge of 227,000 in November. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%, indicating a stable employment environment. However, the services sector experienced a slowdown, with the Institute for Supply Management’s nonmanufacturing purchasing managers index slipping to 52.1 in November from 56.0 in October, suggesting a moderation in service-related activities.
Outlook for 2025
Looking ahead, economists anticipate that the U.S. economy will continue to face challenges such as persistent inflation and potential trade disruptions. The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions will play a crucial role in navigating these challenges, with a focus on balancing efforts to manage inflation while sustaining economic growth. Consumer spending is expected to remain a key driver, but its sustainability will depend on factors such as wage growth and employment stability.
