The Indicator from Planet Money · Thursday, August 13, 2026
Economist Mike Strain observes that the US economy is decelerating from its 'white hot' state in 2022 in a slow, gradual, and orderly manner. However, he also notes a dramatic slowing in workforce growth due to reduced immigration and an aging population, which could impact future job creation.
“I think that the economy is decelerating from its kind of white hot state in 2022 and that that deceleration has been slow and gradual and orderly.”
“We have seen a very dramatic slowing in the growth of the labor force. That's come from much less immigration and also a population that's aging out of the workforce.”