Measuring the digital economy in the United States

Abstract

The United States' Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has recently published statistics exploring the size and growth of the digital economy in response to the interests of the data user community and the international statistical community. BEA independently developed preliminary digital economy statistics but has relied on consultation with other statistical organizations and participation in numerous international working groups aimed at advancing coordinated and internationally comparable digital economy measurement. This report describes BEA's digital economy measurement efforts to date including initial work towards a digital economy satellite account and related research on quantifying the value of 'free' digital media the treatment and measurement of data. This report also discusses BEA's efforts to improve price measures for high-tech goods and services, notably internet and wireless services, cloud services, and ride-hailing services. Lastly, the report provides an overview of BEA's measurement work related to digital services international trade.