Manufacturers' new orders for nondefense capital goods, a key indicator of business investment, have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a cautious approach to long-term investment.

Food prices have sharply increased since the pandemic, placing lasting pressure on household budgets and exacerbating food insecurity, particularly among low-income families.

The employment-population ratio has not fully recovered, influenced by factors such as early retirements and childcare challenges, which in turn affect economic productivity and growth.

Since 2020, inflation expectations have become more volatile, complicating economic decision-making and posing challenges for policymakers in managing inflation targeting.

Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation peaked in 2022 at approximately 3.1% year-over-year in early 2025, which has eroded consumer purchasing power and complicated Federal Reserve policy.

Real average hourly earnings have seen only slight improvements since the pandemic, with inflation outpacing nominal wage gains, thereby impacting household financial resilience.

Key economic metrics indicate that the economy has not fully recovered from the extensive and unprecedented effects of the pandemic and government interventions.

Housing affordability has significantly declined for first-time buyers, driven by rising home prices exacerbated by pandemic-related monetary policies and ongoing supply chain issues.

Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the US economy continues to face significant challenges despite some positive headline indicators.

Consumer confidence remains below pre-pandemic levels, primarily due to ongoing concerns about inflation and job security, which leads to cautious spending by households.