- Housing affordability: Median home price to median household income ratio 2019: 3.7 2021: 4.5 2023: 4.8 Trend: Increasing, indicating declining affordability. - Wealth concentration: Top 1% share of total U.S. wealth 2010: 31.4% 2020: 32.3% 2023: 32.1% Trend: Slight increase over time. - Inflation: Annual inflation rate (CPI) 2020: 1.4% 2021: 7.0% 2022: 6.5% 2023: 3.4% Trend: Significant increase in 2021-2022, moderating in 2023 but still higher than pre-2021 levels. - Gig economy growth: % of workforce in alternative work arrangements 2010: 10.7% 2017: 15.8% 2021: 16.4% (estimated) Trend: Increasing over time. - Income inequality: Gini coefficient (0 = perfect equality, 1 = perfect inequality) 2010: 0.469 2020: 0.485 Trend: Slight increase, indicating growing inequality. - Middle class size: % of adults in middle-income households 2010: 51% 2020: 50% 2022: 49% Trend: Gradual decline. - Student debt crisis: Total student loan debt 2010: $0.8 trillion 2020: $1.6 trillion 2023: $1.76 trillion Trend: Steadily increasing. - Retail closures: Annual retail store closures 2019: 9,302 2020: 12,200 (pandemic impact) 2022: 7,100 Trend: Volatile, with pandemic causing spikes. - Healthcare costs: Healthcare spending as % of GDP 2010: 17.3% 2020: 19.7% 2022: 17.4% (pandemic-related decrease) Trend: Long-term increase, with recent pandemic-related fluctuations. - National debt: U.S. national debt as % of GDP 2010: 91.5% 2020: 127.1% 2023: 123.3% Trend: Significant increase, especially during the pandemic. - Job market concerns: Unemployment rate 2019: 3.7% 2021: 5.4% 2023: 3.7% Trend: Recovered from pandemic spike, but doesn't capture underemployment or job quality. - Cost of living vs. wage growth: Cumulative change 2010-2020 Cost of living increase: 19.3% Wage growth: 17.5% Trend: Cost of living outpacing wage growth. - Manufacturing employment: Manufacturing jobs (millions) 2010: 11.5 2020: 12.2 2023: 12.9 Trend: Slight increase, but not keeping pace with overall job growth. - Retirement insecurity: % of workers confident about having enough money for retirement 2010: 16% 2020: 27% 2023: 18% Trend: Fluctuating, with recent decline in confidence.