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Economic Pulse: Week of 1/16/26

2025, year in review

The economy grew at an annual rate of 2.5% during the first three quarters of last year. And the unemployment rate rose from 4 in January to 4.4% by December 2025.
Inflation has been the wild card since the pandemic, driven by massive government transfers to the public. It reached 9% in the summer of 2022, as demand surged at a time when supply chains were nowhere near capable of handling it.

Click here for the latest Lehigh Valley Economic Review.

Listen to Economic Pulse Fridays at 5:44 PM during All Things Considered; Mondays at 7:30 AM during Morning Edition.

(Original air-date: 1/16/26)

Dr. Kamran Afshar is the host of the weekly WDIY feature Economic Pulse, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasters Association as a Vice President.
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