The Clinton-Gore Economic Record
Moving from Budget Deficits to Historic Surpluses: Economic strategy of fiscal discipline combined with investing in the American people moved the economy from a record deficit -- $290 billion in 1992 -- to the largest dollar surplus on record -- $167 billion in 2000. On track to eliminate the Nation's publicly held debt by 2013.
21.6 Million New Jobs: 21.6 million new jobs -- the most created by any Administration and more new jobs than were created from 1981-1992. The economy has added an average of 248,000 jobs per month, the highest of any President on record.
Low Unemployment: Fallen to 3.9%, the lowest in more than three decades. Unemployment rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans are both at historic lows, while the unemployment rate for women is the lowest since 1953. Unemployment has remained below 5% for 34 months in a row.
Strong Economic Growth: Averaged 3.9% per year since President Clinton and Vice President Gore took office, after growing just 1.7% per year from 1988-1992. In February 2000, the United States entered the 107th consecutive month of economic expansion -- the longest economic expansion in history.
Strong Private-Sector Growth: Increased 4.4% annually since 1993. Since 1993, 19.7 million new jobs have been created in the private sector -- the highest percentage since Harry S. Truman was President and presiding over post-World War II demobilization.
Expanding Trade to Strengthen Our Economy: Opening markets for U.S. exports abroad and creating American jobs through NAFTA, GATT and nearly 300 other free and fair trade agreements. Opening foreign markets has contributed to the 62 percent increase in American exports since 1992.
Lower Government Spending: At 18.7%, Federal Government spending as a share of the Gross Domestic Product is at its lowest level since 1974.
Low Inflation: Underlying core rate at 1.9% in 1999 -- the lowest rate since 1965. In the last four quarters the GDP price index has risen 1.3% -- the lowest rate of increase since 1963.
Real Hourly Wages Up: Grown 6.8% under the Clinton-Gore Administration. In the last 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased 3.7%, faster than the rate of inflation. The U.S. has had 5 consecutive years of real wage growth, the longest consecutive increase since the 1960s.
Higher Median Family Income: Increased by $5,046 since 1993 -- rising from $41,691 in 1993 to $46,737 in 1998.
Lowest Federal Tax Rates in a Generation: A four-person family with the median income of $54,900 paid the lowest share of their income in income and payroll taxes since 1966.
Reduced Welfare Rolls: Welfare rolls are down by 7.2 million (or 51%) since 1993, after increasing by 22% from 1981-1992. This is the largest welfare caseload decline in history, and the lowest number of people on welfare since 1969.
Declining Child Poverty: Under President Clinton and Vice President Gore, the child poverty rate has declined from 22.7% to 18.9% -- the biggest 5-year drop in nearly 30 years (1965-1970). For African American children poverty is the lowest on record; for Hispanic children it is the lowest since 1980.
Highest Homeownership Rate: In 1999, the homeownership rate was 66.8% -- the highest ever recorded. Minority homeownership rates were also the highest ever recorded.
More Auto Industry Jobs: 161,000 new auto jobs added since 1993 -- the fastest annual rate of auto job growth (2.6%) since the Johnson Administration.
Growing Construction Industry: 2.0 million new construction jobs added since 1993 -- the fastest annual rate of growth (5.2%) in 50 years.
5/00
A Nation Transformed
Supporting Americans With Disabilities
Supporting Asian Pacific Americans
Working for Children and Families
Supporting America's Farmers and Rural Communities
Supporting Gay and Lesbian Americans
Supporting America's Working Families
President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore
Record of Progress | The Briefing Room
Gateway to Government | Contacting the White House | White House for Kids
White House History | White House Tours | Help
Privacy Statement