Final Estimate of Real GDP: A Healthy 4.9%

The BEA released it final estimate of third quarter (July-September) real GDP growth today, and it remained unchanged from its previous estimate of 4.9%. Third quarter growth in real GDP was more than twice the average growth this decade of 2.2%, and followed second quarter growth of 3.8% (see chart above). Notice also that the strong back-to-back growth in real output during the last two quarters looks nothing like the recessionary period of 2001, or even the pre-recession period of 2000.