Navigating Economic Data in a Post-Pandemic World

This chapter explores the shift in economic data analysis influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, where traditional indicators are increasingly supplemented by real-time sources like mobility and consumer spending metrics. It highlights the challenges of delayed macroeconomic data and emphasizes the importance of combining various data types for a comprehensive understanding of the economy. The discussion also reflects on the limitations of relying solely on unconventional data while drawing parallels between the immediacy of new methods and the reliability of established statistical practices.